02-20-2007, 04:17 PM
Quote:Farmers threaten march on BangkokBangkok Post Feb. 20, 2007
Nakhon Ratchasima (TNA) About 500 farmers from all 19 northeastern provinces have taken to a highway leading to Bangkok in a peaceful procession, to dramatise their demands for government help with their debts to financial firms.
Organised by the Assembly of Isan Farmers' Group leader Praphat Ngokesoongnern, the indebted Isan (Northeastern) farmers, some proceeding on foot and others riding in about 30 trucks, had reached Nakhon Ratchasima by last evening. There were to spend Tuesday night in the Northeast gateway city, before proceeding into Saraburi province Wednesday morning.
The farmers intend to rally outside Government House in Bangkok "soon," in an open-ended pursuit of government assistance. Other troubled farmers from the Central and Southern regions are expected to join the Isan farmers outside Government House.
The demonstrators asked the government to be "sincere" in dealing with them and to live up to a cabinet resolution reached last month which they understood would somehow relieve them of their overdue debts.
Despite the cabinet resolution, the financially-strapped farmers said, private creditors continued to collect funds from them. (TNA)-
See reports on last month's march there http://www.korat-info.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=520
Certainly it is a serious problem. After the drought and then the flood last year farmers weren't able to make money to repay their loans. They need a little more than just populist promises. Even construction work in Bangkok is not an alternative anymore. Many are desperate now.
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