Govt sets Bt5 per kilo floor price for palm after protests
The government yesterday agreed to peg the minimum price of ripe palm at Bt5 per kilogram in response to protests by palm farmers.
Thousands of farmers staged simultaneous rallies in several provinces including Surat Thani, Chumphon and Phang Nga after the palm price dropped to between Bt2.5 and Bt2.8 per kilo.
While most gathered in their home towns, some 30 core members met representatives at Government House yesterday.
The protesters threatened to block roads and intensify their rally if the government failed to address their grievances. Small-scale farmers have complained that their palm-production costs are well over Bt3 per kg and said they could not shoulder losses.
“The palm price has dropped so low because of the government’s mismanagement,” said Leucha Ounyuang, chairman of the Surat Thani Palm Farmers Association.
Local officials finally announced that the government had agreed to help them by ensuring that the palm price would be at least Bt5 per kilo.
More details will be released next Tuesday.
“In fact, we hope the price will go up to Bt6. But we accept the offer,” Supon Junsai said in his capacity as the protest leader in Chumphon.
Phang Nga Farmers Council chairman Thirapong Tantipetchara-porn said the government should promote the use of biodiesel, which would be a sustainable solution to the palm-price problems.
