Rice farmers from 22 provinces in central Thailand threaten to flock to Bangkok if the government does not reverse its decision to lower the guaranteed price of paddy (brown rice) from 15.000 to 12.000 baht per ton within seven days.
The new price of 12.000 baht that farmers will receive from June 30 for a ton of paddy (brown rice) is unacceptable. Today and tomorrow farmers will gather in various places in the country to prepare actions. The farmers feel cheated by the government.
From the end of the month, farmers will no longer receive 15.000 but 12.000 baht for a ton of paddy (brown rice). Per household, the compensation paid by the government is a maximum of 500.000 baht.
News from Thailand – June 18, 2013
Today in News from Thailand:
• Guaranteed price for rice goes to a maximum of 13.500 baht per tonne
• Thai diplomat fights with Egyptian lawyer
• Monks in private jet do not have to take off monk habit
News from Thailand – June 17, 2013
Today in News from Thailand:
• Demonstrators in white masks protest against government
• Thaksin: Mortgage system for rice is a good system
• Navy opposes U-tapao airport expansion
Trade minister wants lower rice price for farmers
Thailand's Commerce Minister Boonsong Teriyapirom has announced that he wants to change the controversial system of guaranteed rice prices to farmers.
Another blow to Thai rice exports
Thai rice contains too high a concentration of lead. This has been established by a group of researchers from Monmouth University in New Jersey. Another blow to exports.
Thailand will sell millions of tons of rice from the country's overcrowded warehouses. The rice bought too dearly from the farmers can only be sold at a great loss. The Thai taxpayer is screwed.
News from Thailand – March 31, 2013
Today in News from Thailand:
• 2 trillion plan: Population input lacking, critics say
• Two killed and four wounded in Pattani bomb attack
• Thailand wants to win Preah Vihear case with 1.300 pages
News from Thailand – March 11, 2013
Today in News from Thailand:
• South peace talks: politicians and government services distrust each other
• Dossier: Is Thai rice the best rice in the world?
• Teenagers buy dangerous beauty cream over the internet
News from Thailand – March 10, 2013
Today in News from Thailand:
• Dossier: Is the mortgage system for rice a bad system?
• Minister wants to rename grocery store in 'show-suay'
• Governor Bangkok gets a dream team of four deputies
Government admits: we are losing money on rice sales
Thailand will have to sell its huge rice stocks, bought up under the controversial rice mortgage scheme, at a huge loss. Minister Nawatthamrong Boonsongpaisan was reluctant to admit that on Thursday.
News from Thailand – March 5, 2013
Today in News from Thailand:
• US pledges $16 million to combat wildlife trafficking
• Samsung is targeting online lottery machines
• Drought is a disaster for farmers but a blessing for the ministry
News from Thailand – March 2, 2013
Today in News from Thailand:
• Suvarnabhumi work stoppage: staff not touching luggage trolleys
• 15.000 baht per ton of white rice it was and remains; farmers reassured
• Reluctant insurer has to pay for CentralWorld arson in 2010
News from Thailand – March 1, 2013
Today in News from Thailand:
• China: Execution of drug lord Naw Kham and accomplices
• Farmers warm up to mass protest
• Government and BRN will hold peace talks
News from Thailand – February 10, 2013
Today in News from Thailand:
• Lukewarm responses to discussions with red and yellow shirt leaders
• Poll: Those who stay away from the Bangkok governor election are fed up with politics
• Minister on two controversial dams: They are coming; sure
Mortgage system for rice: a new sound
Much has been said and written about the controversial rice mortgage system. Development economist Sawai Boonma makes a surprising new sound.