BANGKOK, 11 November 2014 – Rice growers in Buriram are taking precautions against rice theft to the next level, by camping out next to the piles of unhusked rice they have set out to dry so their produce can be kept under 24-hour watch.
Members of almost every household in Ban Sai Yong village in Krasang sub-district, Mueang district, Buriram have brought out tents and set up other amenities in open fields and on the sides of the road where the rice piles have been set out. The locals told reporters they have scaled up precautions because of frequent rice thefts experienced in previous years.
The harvested rice needs to be set out to dry for 2-3 days before selling, otherwise the price will fall to just 10 baht 50 satang per kilogram due to the undesirable moisture content; locals said dried unhusked rice fetches at least 15 baht per kilogram. Locals are expecting that they will fetch at least 16 baht per kilogram for their rice, although they will get by if they can sell it for 15 baht per kilogram.
