The most foolhardy scheme imaginable

Somsak Pola, if you want to give a lecture on agricultural subsidies, you’d better do more homework.
Only rich and powerful countries can afford an agricultural subsidy that can yield two results – help their farmers get paid more for their crops and penetrate international markets with the surplus produce at cheaper prices.
The Yingluck government, under the control of fugitive businessman Thaksin Shinawatra, has come up with the most foolhardy rice subsidy programme any country could think of. It has set a floor price for domestic rice at 40 per cent above international prices, but is still stuck with the produce without knowing when and where to sell it. As a result, our country is losing not only money, but its status as No 1 rice exporter.
Vint Chavala
Lamphun