Thai News – January 21
Swedish-Lebanese terror suspect Hussein Atris, who was detained on Thursday at Suvarnabhumi, says he was the victim of an Israeli Mossad trap. The Mossad is said to have placed the chemicals, which were found in a building in Mahachai on Monday. He was also said to have been interrogated by three men who "apparently came from the Mossad." “I am an ordinary trader,” he says in an interview with the Swedish newspaper Aftonbladet
Why do Thai farmers remain poor?
Why is the Thai farmer still in bad shape, despite the fact that Thailand has long been the world's largest exporter of rice?
Flood damage to rice could amount to 7 million tons
The floods have so far damaged 700.000 tonnes of paddy but the final figure could be 6 to 7 million tonnes, the Department of Commerce estimates. This has hardly any influence on exports; this year, Thailand expects to export 11 million tons. The Ministry of Agriculture reports total damage to 10 million rai of agricultural land, of which 8 million are paddy fields. The provinces of Pthitsanulok, Nakhon Sawan, Phichit and Suphan Buri are the most affected. Yanyong…
The milk sector in Thailand (1)
In my story “Dairy in Thailand” from March last, I already told something about milk production in Thailand, this time in more detail and mainly about dairy farms. In this part general information and some figures about the dairy sector, in the second part I summarize a study that a Wageningen student used as a graduation project and finally in part three two nice interviews with Thai dairy farmers. Thailand does not really have a tradition in milk production, …
Floods and crisis slow down agricultural production
The sluggish global economy and flooding are the main causes of limited growth in Thai agricultural production. Previously, 4 percent was expected, now 3 percent. Rubber and other staple products are suffering from reduced demand and lower prices, the Agricultural Economics Office said. While exports remain healthy, especially in the food sector, the crisis in the US and Europe will drive demand for Thai products, which are in competition with products…
Water, lots of water and the consequences for the rice harvest
By Joseph Jongen The damage caused by the fierce typhoon Megi, which also ravaged a large part of Thailand, cannot yet be estimated. Much agricultural land is under water to such an extent that it is feared that the rice crop in particular will suffer. Damage The Thai Rice Mills Association estimates that yields will drop by about 15% and total production will fall below 20 million tons. Predicting that…