BANGKOK, 27 September 2011 – Representatives of rice farmers have gathered to call for the Opposition to help ensure the Government’s financial assistance in compliance with the income guarantee scheme.
A network of farmers from five provinces in the Lower North, comprising Phitsanulok, Sukhothai, Kampheang Phet, Phichit and Nakhon Sawan, has submitted a request to Opposition Leader Abhisit Vejjajiva, asking him to make sure that the current government paid compensation to farmers as obliged by the income guarantee scheme adopted by its predecessor.
The demonstrating farmers claimed that before the change of government, they had already harvested their in-season crops despite some flood damages on their paddy fields. Therefore, they are entitled to the compensation money although the Government is about to replace the income guarantee scheme with the mortgaging system.
Previously, the matter had been brought to Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, but there had been no responses to the issue so far.
After receiving the farmers’ request, Mr Abhisit said numerous similar complaints had been filed to him while promising to question the Government about the issue in Parliament this Thursday.
