Farmers move to Bangkok; 'We want to see money'
Farmers from all sides flock to Bangkok to demand payment for the rice they have surrendered. Today they are marching from the Ministry of Commerce in Nonthaburi to the Ministry of Justice and Prime Minister Yingluck's temporary office to demonstrate.
Farmer's protest expanded; government is scrambling
The rice farmers are expanding their protest. They have been demonstrating in front of the Ministry of Commerce since Thursday, and the office of Prime Minister Yingluck will join them tomorrow. The reporting is also quite confused, but we have to make do with it.
The pressure on the government to come up with money for the rice it bought from farmers is increasing. Today, a column of agricultural vehicles with farmers from seven provinces is entering Bangkok to put pressure on the situation. In Ang Thong, the Asian Highway is blocked.
Bangkok Breaking News + Election News – February 5, 2014
On this page we will keep you informed about Bangkok Shutdown, the aftermath of the elections and related news. The posts are in reverse chronological order. The latest news is therefore at the top. Times in bold are Dutch time. In Thailand it is 6 hours later.
News from Thailand – December 17, 2012
Thai farmers use way too many chemicals. In 2011, Thailand imported twice as many chemicals as in 2005, including four highly dangerous substances banned in most countries.
'The agricultural sector is collapsing'
The only way farmers can survive in the future is by forming so-called 'agricommunity enterprises', a business-based form of cooperation of 10 farmers on 1.500 rai of land with a central point from which members can borrow machinery.
News from Thailand – October 2, 2012
A tropical storm currently forming over the China Sea will bring heavy rain to the Northeast, the Central Plains and Bangkok this weekend.
Growing worms on your balcony: it's possible
You can make a lot of money with earthworms. You don't need more than a chest of drawers and cow dung. And they also multiply like crazy.
yellow shirts and red shirts; i miss them a bit
The battle between the yellow shirts and the red shirts has moved to parliament, where it is being continued by the governing party Pheua Thai and the main opposition party Democrats. And that's where she belongs.
News from Thailand – August 17, 2012
Farmers are up to their necks in debt. On average, they owed 103.047 baht last year and that debt will increase to 130.000 this year, the university expects from the Thai Chamber of Commerce.
US scrutinizes rice mortgage system
The rice mortgage system is not a subsidy system but an income support for the farmers. With that play on words, Yanyong Phuangrach, permanent secretary of the Department of Commerce, responds to the report that the US Department of Agriculture is sending an economist and agricultural adviser to Thailand to examine the mortgage system.
Thai farmers poison themselves
Thai farmers who grow rice use far too much fertilizer and pesticides. Nevertheless, the average yield per rai is considerably lower than in Vietnam. In addition, they run major health risks and pollute soil and water.
News from Thailand – March 31, 2012
Angry pineapple fruit growers dumped thousands of pineapples on Phetkasem Highway in Prachuap Khiri Khan yesterday. In the morning, a group of 4.000 peasants blocked the road, and after finishing their action, 500 peasants occupied the highway elsewhere. d
News from Thailand – March 13, 2012
Taxi fares are not going up for the time being, says the director general of the Land Transport Department. That is not necessary as long as PTT Plc gives the drivers a discount on gas
Tourists 'help' Thai rice pickers (video)
The rice harvest season has started again in Thailand. And then some passing tourists are not afraid to lend a hand
The milk sector in Thailand (3 and final)
It will be clear to everyone that Herjan Bekamp's thesis described in Part 2 was not written on a free Wednesday afternoon. This was preceded by an extensive literature study, but also by a thorough preparation of his research on site. Using carefully formulated questions, he interviewed 44 dairy farmers from the different groups, all from the Mualek District in Central Thailand. From those interviews, he collected valuable data about business operations, family composition, …
Sugar cane, less sweet for the farmers
Besides the production of rice, sugar cane is a very important product for the Thai economy. The approximately fifty sugar factories generate an annual turnover of more than five hundred thousand million baht. The sugar industry is still growing and was included in the so-called “Thai kitchen of the World” program by the government a few years ago. Besides being an important export product, this agricultural activity is also very important for employment. It almost seems untrue, but about one and a half million people are…