BANGKOK, Jan 26 (TNA) - Protesting farmers pushed their way through barricades into Thailand's Government House compound Monday afternoon, where they are negotiating with the finance minister and other government officials.
Demanding higher prices and support for their commodities, the farmers made their way over iron barricades and invaded the Government House compound, announcing their intention to stay overnight to pressure the government for an early decision.
Finance Minister Korn Chatikavanij and Sungsidh Piriyarangsan, acting secretary-general of the Office of the Farmer Rehabilitation Development Fund, led seven representatives of the farmers to hold talks in a Government House building.
The farmers fund has about Bt800 million to buy farmers' debts. The finance minister will consider farmers' demand to increase the financial amount to Bt20 billion.
About a thousand farmers were on hand Monday at Government House, demanding that the government help shoulder their debt on land mortgage.
The Farmers' Debt Network of Thailand led by Charin Duangdara, called for the government to tackle their problem regarding their mortgaged lands.
Mr. Charin said more than 15 million acres of farmland, or 35 per cent of the country's croplands, were mortgaged and about 3.2 million acres of crop lands were likely to be lost, affecting 300,000 indebted farmers.
They wanted the government to shoulder their debt by purchasing their land and extending the installment period to help farmers and restore the economy. (TNA)
General News : Last Update : 17:22:56 26 January 2009 (GMT+7:00)
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