Thai farmers

  • Thailand NewsRice and shine: Thai government dishes out financial aid to farmers through BAAC

    Rice and shine: Thai government dishes out financial aid to farmers through BAAC

    The Thai government initiated a financial aid programme for rice farmers, channelling through the Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives (BAAC). Rice farmers will receive 1,000 baht per rai, capped at 20 rai (32,000 squared metres) per household, or a maximum of 20,000 baht per household. This scheme, part of the Rice Farmer Management and Quality Improvement project for the…

  • Thailand NewsSouthern Thailand: Repeated thefts at Trang oil palm farm cause costly loss for owner

    Southern Thailand: Repeated thefts at Trang oil palm farm cause costly loss for owner

    A local oil palm farm in Trang province has been repeatedly invaded by thieves over the past two years, causing the owner to lose hundreds of thousands of baht. The situation has become so severe that the owner, 25 year old Chatchai Sirijarukul, has reported the incidents to the police three times, but to no avail. He claims to possess…

  • Business NewsBAAC plans to boost export of high-value agricultural goods

    BAAC plans to boost export of high-value agricultural goods

    Chatchai Sirilai, the president of the Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives (BAAC), stated that the bank will augment its role as a facilitator for the export of high-value agricultural goods. This move is aimed at increasing income for farmers. The BAAC’s strategy is focused on nurturing a new generation of farmers who concentrate on producing quality products, rather than…

  • Business NewsCrop déjà vu: Critics dub gov’s agri-reform a rerun of past plans

    Crop déjà vu: Critics dub gov’s agri-reform a rerun of past plans

    The government’s current measures to reform the nation’s agricultural sector, particularly rice farming, are largely seen as reiterations of former strategies, declared industry commentators. They suggest that any budget-based support should come with certain stipulations. Aat Pisanwanich, an international economics lecturer, after evaluating these measures, observes that the central policy appears to be a three-year debt suspension for farmers, with…

  • Business NewsBAAC organises Japan trip to boost Thai farmers’ global market competitiveness

    BAAC organises Japan trip to boost Thai farmers’ global market competitiveness

    The Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives (BAAC), led by its president, Chatchai Sirilai, has organised an overseas business study trip to Fukuoka, Japan, from October 20 to October 24. The initiative aimed to aid small-scale Thai farmers and farming businesses by enhancing their business efficiency and competitiveness in the global market. The trip provided an opportunity for knowledge exchange…

  • Thailand NewsThai farm worker killed in Israel, wife mourns unexpected loss

    Thai farm worker killed in Israel, wife mourns unexpected loss

    A 39 year old Thai farm worker from Kalasin, Thailand, was tragically killed in Israel yesterday, leaving his wife in shock as they had just spoken that morning. The victim, identified as Somkuan Phansadat, had been working on a farm in Israel when he was caught up in an act of violence perpetrated by Hamas, seen by many in the West…

  • Thailand NewsThai farmer’s luxury car market trip turns heads: Viral video hits 8.7 million views

    Thai farmer’s luxury car market trip turns heads: Viral video hits 8.7 million views

    A viral video, viewed by 8.7 million people, portrays an intriguing scenario of a Thai man venturing to a local market in his Audi A4 luxury car to sell freshly harvested vegetables. The man’s identity adds to the surprising narrative. The video clip, swiftly making its rounds on social networks, first appeared on the Instagram account @variety_farmer. It showcases a…

  • Business NewsThai farmers offered debt suspension to regain good debtor status

    Thai farmers offered debt suspension to regain good debtor status

    Farmers with outstanding debts at the Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives (BAAC) in Thailand can now enter a debt suspension scheme without the need for prior debt restructuring, according to Paopoom Rojanasakul, the secretary to the finance minister. The move aims to help these farmers regain their good debtor status and is applicable to all BAAC debtors whose total…

  • Thailand NewsThai potash mine disaster: Unseen contamination taints 10,000 rai of land

    Thai potash mine disaster: Unseen contamination taints 10,000 rai of land

    Analysis from the Synchrotron Light Research Institute (SLRI) has found a worrying degree of contamination on a significant amount of agricultural land adjacent to a potash mine in Nakhon Ratchasima. As per the analysis, over 10,000 rai of land has been tainted with sodium chloride and potassium chloride. The firm holding the operating rights to the mine, Thai Kali Co,…

  • South Thailand NewsVolcano durian: South Thailand farmer introduces unique breed to nationwide praise

    Volcano durian: South Thailand farmer introduces unique breed to nationwide praise

    In South Thailand a farmer has successfully grown a unique variety of durian, calling it a ‘volcano durian.’ Harvesting started a couple of days ago and the fruits, selling for 200 baht per kilogram, have already attracted numerous customers from across the country. Sixty-year-old Sai Yud Chansawang owns a durian orchard located in the Na Yung district, Trang province. With more…

  • Crime NewsIllegally imported pork carcasses spark disease concerns in Thailand

    Illegally imported pork carcasses spark disease concerns in Thailand

    At Laem Chabang port in Thailand‘s Chon Buri province, the Customs Department confiscated a total of 161 containers filled with frozen pork carcasses that had been illegally imported from various countries. The illegally imported pork shipments were found to lack proper documentation and certification, raising concerns about the potential spread of disease among both consumers and local livestock farmers. As…

  • Thailand NewsThai netizens go into meltdown over farmer using bathroom cleaner as fertilizer

    Thai netizens go into meltdown over farmer using bathroom cleaner as fertilizer

    Pictures of a Thai farmer using bathroom cleaner as a fertilizer in his rice fields have sent netizens into meltdown. Scientist, Parkpoom Dethhussadin, known as Mor Lap Panda, posted a screenshot of a Facebook post from an unidentified farmer spraying his crops with bathroom cleaner. The unidentified farmer captioned the post with, “It’s effective and cost-saving. I tried it with…

  • Thailand NewsFarmers sleep on the streets of Bangkok for 42 days calling for action on debt

    Farmers sleep on the streets of Bangkok for 42 days calling for action on debt

    Farmers from all over Thailand are sleeping under a busy expressway in Bangkok to call on the government to solve the problem of farmers’ debt. So far, the protestors have slept on the streets for 42 nights. The farmers request that their debt be transferred from central government banks, which charge high interest rates, to the Farmers’ Rehabilitation and Development…

  • Thailand NewsPork price crisis ups demand for poultry, chicken added to price control list

    Pork price crisis ups demand for poultry, chicken added to price control list

    Thailand’s pork price crisis is causing an increased demand for chicken, leading poultry and egg prices to surge. The Ministry of Commerce has now added chickens and chicken meat to their price control list. The ministry now mandates that chicken raisers with over 100,000 chickens, and slaughterhouses with the capacity for over 4,000 chickens a day, disclose their quantity, stocks,…

  • Environment NewsStop the burn – Thai Governors told to stop farmers burning off agricultural waste

    Stop the burn – Thai Governors told to stop farmers burning off agricultural waste

    Provincial governors in Thailand’s farming areas are being told to mitigate the burning off of agri-business waste by farmers in their provinces. The annual burn-offs are the biggest cause of the December to April air pollution in Bangkok and Central Thailand which lie in the wake of the light north-easterly breezes this time of the year. The burn-offs partly co-incide with the lighter…

  • Environment NewsThailand’s ban on hazardous farming chemicals to remain in place

    Thailand’s ban on hazardous farming chemicals to remain in place

    Despite fears to the contrary among those in favour of it, the ban on paraquat and chlorpyrifos is to remain in place. The Hazardous Substances Committee has confirmed that production, possession, and importing or exporting either substance remains illegal, under legislation introduced on June 1 of this year. Thai PBS World reports that Industry Minister, Suriya Juangroongruangkit, says a discussion…

  • Covid-19 NewsOver 73,000 Thai farmers to get relief aid after appeals approved

    Over 73,000 Thai farmers to get relief aid after appeals approved

    Over 73,000 Thai farmers are set to get much-needed aid after their appeals for financial help have been approved. The Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives (BAAC) says it will transfer the aid tomorrow, in the amount of 5,000 baht, to help with the Covid-19 economic fallout. BAAC secretary Anan Suwanrat says the ministry’s appeal panel has approved 73,975 appeals…

  • Thai LifeFarmers seek injunction on chemical ban

    Farmers seek injunction on chemical ban

    A farmers’ organisation will appeal to the Central Administrative Court on Monday October 28 for an injunction on the ban of three agricultural chemicals – paraquat, chlorpyrifos and glyphosate – which was approved by the unanimous vote of Hazardous Substance Committee on Tuesday. The secretary-general of Federation of Safe Agriculture (FSA), said on Saturday that the FSA and representatives of…

  • Environment NewsBan of 3 herbicides agreed, with conditions

    Ban of 3 herbicides agreed, with conditions

    PHOTO: www.asiaone.com Thai PBS World reports that Thailand’s National Hazardous Substances Committee says it will agree to banning paraquat, glyphosate and chlorpyrifos, provided that the alternatives proposed are effective, affordable for farmers, and less hazardous. Committee chairman Apijin Chotikasathien gave the undertaking yesterday, while giving the Ministry of Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives 60 days to come up with alternatives. Mr…