The price of the East Economic Corridor (EEC)
Much is being published about the plans in East Thailand to develop it into a new large industrial area with high-quality products. However, the negative consequences, necessary for the developments, are not or hardly published or are even shoved under the rug.
The Hazardous Substance Commission (HSC) has revised its decision to ban three chemicals commonly used in agriculture. Paraquat, chlorpyrifos and glyphosate, which are very harmful to humans and animals, may nevertheless continue to be used in the cultivation of maize, cassava, sugar cane, rubber, palm oil and fruit.
Thai tobacco farmers in trouble
Due to less smoking and the increase in the tax on tobacco in September last year, farmers who grow tobacco are in trouble. Previously, up to 600 tons of tobacco were purchased per year, but now turnover has fallen sharply. A reason for the government to freeze tobacco sales for three years.
Thai farmers, their income, debts and other matters
A popular expression in Thailand is: 'Farmers are the backbone of society'. Looking at their socio-economic circumstances, a completely different picture emerges. A study by the Puey Ungphakorn Institute of Economic Research, part of the Bank of Thailand and reported in the Bangkok Post, shows this.
There is no doubt that Thai society has changed in many ways in the past 30-40 years. But how? And what are the consequences for Thai society in general? Here I focus on the villagers, usually called farmers. They are still called 'the backbone of Thai society'.
Forest, farmers, property and deceit
Many farmers in Thailand, perhaps a quarter of all farmers, have problems with their land tenure and land use rights. Here I want to explain what those problems are and how they arose. A solution is far away. It seems as if the authorities do not really want a solution to be able to go their own way so arbitrarily.
Farmers in Tak burn harvest despite ban
To prevent the formation of smog and dangerous particulate matter, farmers in Thailand are no longer allowed to burn their harvest residues. Nevertheless, farmers do not care much about this.
Farmers in Thailand complain about wild elephants destroying their fields. Minister Surasak of the environment did have a solution: shoot them. That 'proposal' was made by the governor of Chachoengsao during a meeting of the governors of the eastern provinces. After much criticism from animal rights activists, he retracted his statement and said it was a 'joke'.
Speaking of rice
Green rice fields give an extra dimension to the landscape and put a smile on the face of the tourist. Few will realize that more than a hundred thousand different types of rice are grown worldwide.
You all have it that you feel a bit uncomfortable in certain situations. We currently have that (a bit) when buying pineapple. How could you possibly be uncomfortable with that, you're probably wondering? I'll explain.
At least 99 percent of all farmers in Thailand will disappear if they don't adapt. That disturbing prediction was made by Decha Sitiphat, the director of the Khao Kwan Foundation. The only way for farmers to survive is to commit to independence, sustainability and pesticide-free organic farming.
According to the Thai minister of agriculture, farmers should dress better. Now they would look shabby in worn clothes. According to him, that is one reason why young people no longer want to be farmers. Minister Chatchai Sarikulya said this at a policy meeting on Monday.
Since the collapse of the purchase prices for rice, Thai rice farmers have been at a loss. Prayut says the government will support farmers financially, but there are limits.
In an op-ed in the Bangkok Post, Wichit Chantanusornsiri delivers a scathing judgment on successive governments in Thailand that fail to really address the problems in agriculture.
Thai farmers are increasingly confronted with health problems because they spray unprotected poison on their crops. The Ministry of Health says that 32 percent of farmers are at risk of health problems due to the (sometimes banned) pesticides they use.
RID: There is not enough water in Thailand to plant rice
Thailand is one of the largest rice exporters in the world. Many Thai farmers depend on the harvest, but there is not enough water to start planting rice next month, says the Royal Irrigation Department (RID).
Drought in Thailand: Farmers switch to watermelons
If anyone has been wondering lately why there are so many watermelons for sale, the following explanation is the answer.