Thailand's Palang Pracharat Party questions the government's cut in rice subsidies!
On July 13, Pongthai, Secretary-General of Thailand's Palang Pracharat Party, called on the Speaker of the House, the government, and relevant agencies to quickly assist Thai farmers during a parliamentary session.
When Prime Minister Paetongtarn was in charge, the Thai government reduced the cash subsidy per acre of rice from 1,000 baht to 500 baht without a reasonable explanation. The cut of 500 baht has become fertilizer that cannot meet the needs, meaning farmers had their cash subsidies cut by half without any reason.
Pongthai questioned the government: Who, if anyone, has benefited from this fertilizer that cannot meet the needs of farmers through this change in subsidy policy?!
Moreover, Thai farmers need to claim the subsidy through the mobile application of the Agricultural and Agricultural Cooperatives Bank. Pongthai expressed dissatisfaction with this in the form of a question: How many farmers aged 60-70 can use this application? Why is the government adding obstacles for those who truly need help?
Currently, the cost of rice production is continuously rising, with the price of each bag of fertilizer reaching as high as 1,200 baht. In addition to increasing costs of gasoline, labor, and plowing, the government has reduced subsidies, which undermines rationality and fairness. Pongthai urged the government to urgently review these measures, as farmers are not asking for free aid but for fairness.
Original article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/1837574353972236/
Statement: This article represents the personal views of the author.