Showing 31 - 40 of 158
The farming sector needs change, now
News, Wichit Chantanusornsiri, Published on 24/11/2016
» With just about one year left in office, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha and his government will have to give a high priority to existing problems in agriculture -- especially the falling price of rice. Thai farmers have suffered financial hardship due to repeated crises over low rice prices. The government's failure to address the problems in a timely manner will make its economic development goals hard to achieve.
Rice pledging scheme deja vu
News, Alan Dawson, Published on 06/11/2016
» In the early 1980s, as a post-Vietnam war peace took shape in Southeast Asia, Thailand made an important decision. To be more correct, Thailand decided not to decide about rice.
From salt to solar
Life, Anchalee Kongrut, Published on 14/09/2016
» If this year's severe drought returns next dry season, Uncle Wai Rodtayoy and other salt farmers in tambon Koek Kharm of Samut Sakhon, known as the country's largest sea-salt-farming area, will see mounting debts.
Parched fields force Thailand to look beyond rice
AFP, Published on 03/04/2016
» Thailand has long served as one of the globe's main rice bowls, but chronic water shortages are pushing the country to move away from a grain that dominates its fields and has defined a way of life for generations.
Probe set for 'extravagant' decorations
News, Amornrat Mahitthirook, Published on 09/02/2016
» The Office of the Auditor General (OAG) and the Public Sector Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC) are probing the Tourism and Sports Ministry's alleged misspending of 1.8 million baht for venue decorations for the prime minister's visit last Friday.
Rubber price subsidy scheme is flawed
News, Published on 28/01/2016
» Faced with the threat of disruptive demonstrations and seeking support from rubber farmers, the Thai government is instituting a programme to purchase a small amount of the annual crop at above market prices. Such a programme makes little economic sense. Any political benefits may fail to materialise due to flaws in the economic reasoning behind the programme. If Thailand cannot affect the world price, the purchase of 100,000 tonnes of rubber (about 2.2% of the crop) at an above market price will have no effect whatsoever on the farm gate price for the other 97.8% of the rubber crop in Thailand.
Government hints at subsidy extension
News, Post Reporters, Published on 26/01/2016
» The government has hinted it may continue with its rubber subsidy programme after it expires in June, if the price slump remains unresolved.
Cash crops a short-term fix, but long-term plan essential
Asia focus, Nareerat Wiriyapong, Published on 25/01/2016
» For the past 30 years, Prasert Thongsiri's daily routine has consisted of walking to his five-rai rubber tree plantation in Songkhla around 1 am and spending the next five hours there tapping latex. He inherited the plantation from his father, who was also a rubber tapper, and has enjoyed a substantial income from it, helping to fund the education of his two children.
Undocumented farmers call on Prayut for subsidies
News, Published on 21/01/2016
» Southern rubber farmers have urged Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha to grant two million planters, who have no land ownership documents, access to the government's assistance programmes.
BoT: State handouts no danger
Business, Pathom Sangwongwanich, Published on 16/01/2016
» The government’s economic stimulus measures and rubber subsidy will not cause problems for Thailand’s long-term fiscal discipline due to the manageable level of public debt, says the Bank of Thailand.