AYUTTHAYA, June 19 – The Thai Farmers Association threatens protests in the capital and nationwide if the government moves ahead with reducing its current rice pledging price.
Association president Wichian Puanglamchiak said farmers liked the ruling Pheu Thai party for its determination to implement the rice pledging programme, which helps improve their living conditions, they have money to pay their debts and can escape from the circle of exploitation from rice traders and rice businesses.
The move to cut the paddy pledging price from Bt15,000 per tonne to Bt12,000 per tonne, effective June 30 is unacceptable, Mr Wichian said, response to the National Rice Policy Committee (NRPC) decision
The association will hold a news conference in Bangkok today opposing the action and demanding the government maintain the pledging price at Bt15,000 per tonne.
If the government rejects their demand, farmers will protest in a number of provinces as well as the capital.
