Shrimp farmers seek govt help
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Shrimp farmers from eight provinces in the South gathered yesterday at the Tinsulanonda Bridge in Songkhla to await the decision of a panel meeting on depressed shrimp prices.
Kanchit Hemarak, president of the shrimp farmers’ network, said a mortgage scheme was urgently needed and suggested that the panel come up with a decision by next Tuesday.
If the outcome is not satisfactory, the protesters might close the Tinsulanonda Bridge, he said, and also travel to Bangkok to lodge a complaint with the PM.
Kanchit said shirmp should be priced at around Bt130 to Bt180 per kilo.
The price of shrimp has plummeted during the recent heat wave, which forced farmers to harvest their stock, leading to an oversupply.
Meanwhile, the price of other produce, particularly vegetables and meats, have risen. For instance in Sakon Nakhon, pork is going for Bt105 to Bt130 per kilogram and Chinese kale has doubled in price from Bt20 to Bt40 per bunch.
Merchants say prices have doubled and speculate that they might rise even more when the new school term starts. They are calling on the government for help.
