Thailand Farmers to Intensify Pressure on Government
Farmers in the south of Thailand are planning to enter Bangkok in an effort to intensify the pressure for the current government to pay them their subsidies due.
The subsidies stem from the government’s rice pledging program where they agreed to buy rice from the farmers and pay them for their product.
Rice farmers have been blocking the Rama II road south of Bangkok because they want to speak with the caretaker Deputy Prime Minister about why they have not been paid for their rice.
The conflict stems from a pledge by the Thai government where subsidies were promised to them for their quality-grade rice crop. The farmers have yet to be paid thus they are angry and want to cut off supply roads to Bangkok.
Highway blockades by the rice farmers have had their impact on Bangkok businesses. For example, there has been a disruption in seafood shipments to supply restaurants in Bangkok.
One such restaurant chain, Oishi Restaurants, is beginning to feel the impact of blocked shipments of raw foodstuffs and other supplies.
However, the Executive Vice-President of the Oishi Group, PLC, Paisarn Aowstaporn, state that they have alternative measures to maintain their supply chain should things get worse.
Currently, the government does not have the money to pay the farmers and make good on their pledge. The government is seeking loans to the extent of several billion Thai Baht but has not been able to secure them.
As of Tuesday, the Rama II Road entering from the south of Bangkok remains closed by the rice farmers. The rice farmers have agreed to reopen Phetkasem Road which is located in Ratchaburi province to traffic headed to Bangkok.
The farmers are also demanding a debt moratorium from the government because they have not been paid under the current rice pledging plan thus they have no money.
Online News Heard Now
Short URL: http://www.onlinenewsheardnow.com/?p=2605
Posted by