Responds to BoT’s objection to paying 1,000 baht per rai. Raising the minimum wage on 12 Dec.

“Government Spokesperson” counters every issue of “Bank of Thailand” opposition to giving farmers 1,000 baht per rai, wondering why they didn’t protest last year. Take care of only finances It’s better to let agencies with deep knowledge make decisions. The Prime Minister ordered to expedite the release of good rice varieties in stock. Unable to bear it, Thailand’s yield per rai is behind ASEAN plums. Labor is ready to cheer! Cabinet proposes to increase minimum wage on 12 Dec.

At Government House on November 21, Mr. Settha Thavisin, Prime Minister and Finance Minister, said after the Cabinet (Cabinet) meeting that on November 20 he had discussions with major rice traders in the country. Thailand Found a problem with Thai rice, our yield per rai is much lower than neighboring countries. One of the reasons is Thai rice is slowly developing. Received rice variety certification from the Rice Department that was delayed. causing rice to be planted slowly Therefore, he ordered Capt. Thammanat Phromphao, Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives, to which the Minister of Agriculture responded well that he would take care of the process of requesting rice varieties. In order for Thailand to have better and higher rice efficiency and productivity. equal to neighbors

Mr. Chai Watcharong, spokesman for the Prime Minister’s Office, announced that the Prime Minister had ordered at the Cabinet meeting that due to the numbers of Thailand’s rice production compared to other countries, In Asia and ASEAN together they were almost at the bottom. Capt. Thammanat reported that We have prepared that next season there will be new rice varieties that will respond to increasing yields per rai and rice quality to be recommended to farmers for planting.

Spokesperson for the Prime Minister’s Office Referring to the case of the Bank of Thailand (BoT) sending an opinion letter back to the Cabinet Secretariat saying that there was no need to issue a measure to pay farmers 1,000 baht per rai, he understood that it was a letter from the Cabinet Secretariat asking for opinions to the Bank. PTT regarding the case where the Cabinet (Cabinet) meeting on 7 Nov. had measures to help farmers by intervening by buying lead prices and on 14 Nov. there were measures to help farmers by giving farm money. 1,000 baht each. In an open letter from the BoT, it was stated that because the price of rice is currently in an upward trend. and production costs decreased The BoT therefore considers that providing assistance to support the development of rice quality at 1,000 baht per rai may not be necessary. It’s not like before.

I would like to clarify that the letter from the BoT said that the necessity has decreased. The meaning is Compared to last year Rice production season 2022 in terms of the price of paddy rice Jasmine rice sticky rice The previous government spent nearly 150 billion baht in subsidies to help farmers through various projects, of which more than 86 billion baht was used to guarantee the price of paddy. Last year the price was not that good. The previous government used price guarantees. If the price is low, receive the difference from the government. There is also funding to support the management and development of rice quality, just like this government.

As for the BoT stating that there is little need because this year’s rice prices are good. Mr. Chai said The money that farmers get from selling paddy this year is even higher than last year. But last year farmers received subsidies that came from price guarantees. which when adding the subsidy from price insurance Money that farmers earn from selling rice Last year’s production season and this year’s production season were about the same, with almost no difference. Because this year the price of paddy rose, the government did not provide insurance. The money raised is equivalent to last year’s sales which were a little less. But the government spent more than 86 billion baht, so farmers’ income from selling rice in two years is not much different. At the same time, things are worse than last year. From the end of October until the beginning of November, the government passed a cabinet resolution on 2 measures to help farmers. It is a time when jasmine rice is about to be launched on the market. And the price of jasmine rice, although the price has been announced as the same as last year, 14,500-15,000 baht per ton, but when actually purchasing it, the price is 14,500-15,000 baht per ton, which is a moisture content of 15%, but in practice When the rice is harvested, the humidity is 25%. When sending it to sell, they only buy it for 10,800 baht per ton, causing the farmer to sell for less than before and have no money for insurance. This time, the government did not pay the insurance money. Because the price of other rice paddy is good Just subsidize the management and development of rice quality equally. Last year, it was 56 billion baht, which used more than half the subsidy than last year. and the price of paddy rice has increased in some cases But jasmine rice did not grow.

In addition, the production costs The BoT stated that it was not necessary because of the low costs. The facts are not Because there is only one fertilizer that has decreased in price, but the other 3 are more expensive than last year. This year’s costs are not lower compared to last year. but slightly higher Therefore, the opinion book of The BoT is inconsistent with reality. Therefore, I would like to inform you that information related to farmers peasant Information from the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives Ministry of Commerce and agencies directly related to the agricultural sector It will be more detailed than the BoT’s information because the BoT will look at broad reports. It’s not as in-depth as the agencies he directly views.

“The facts are not as pointed out by the BoT. Moreover, what I am very surprised about is that last year the government subsidized farmers, spending almost 150 billion baht, and the farmers received the same amount as this year, and there was a project for them. 1,000 baht per rai, the same as this year, but last year the BoT had no comment. There was no open letter arguing that it should not be done. This is something that I am quite surprised about. Same story The letters are almost copied. But last year I didn’t protest. No comment It does not appear in the minutes of the meeting. But this year there is and is also in the news,” Mr. Chai stated.

However, this is a matter of fiscal policy. It is the government’s responsibility to take care of people’s livelihoods. Farmer’s economic income As for BoT’s opinions, we are ready to listen. But the roles and responsibilities are shared. BoT oversees finances If there is a letter of protest or opinion, for example, what should be the interest rate that should be charged? What should be the repayment period? What should be the risk insurance for lending to farmers? This is the direct role of the BoT, but should the project help farmers or not? How much does it help in terms of how much? Will the cost be more expensive or cheaper? What is the price of rice? It is a matter that the government has the details on hand. Consider carefully Therefore, matters other than financial issues It would be better to ask government agencies that have more in-depth and accurate information to consider and make decisions.

Mr. Chai also revealed that at the Cabinet meeting, the Prime Minister had requested that within 2 weeks from now Request the Ministry of Labor to bring the issue of minimum wages to the Cabinet for consideration.

Mr. Karom Phonphonklang, Deputy Spokesman of the Prime Minister’s Office, said that Mr. Pipat Ratchakitprakarn, Minister of Labor, reported to the meeting. The Cabinet acknowledged the progress in raising the minimum wage or the minimum wage for workers across the country. It is expected that the details will be summarized and presented to the Cabinet meeting by December 12.

As for the preliminary timeline of the new minimum wage increase, Mr. Phiphat summarized the timeline as follows: 27 Nov. summarizes details of the minimum wage rates for workers in 77 provinces, while on 30 Nov. the Ministry Labor discussed internally the consideration of the minimum wage rate for workers in 77 provinces, while on December 8, a meeting of the Wage Committee or Tripartite Committee was scheduled. Consider the new minimum wage rate. Then on December 12, the Ministry of Labor proposed Cabinet considers new minimum wage rate

Ms. Pimpatra Wichaikul, Minister of Industry, said that the Cabinet meeting has not yet considered a project to support sugarcane farmers in cutting good quality fresh sugarcane to reduce PM 2.5 dust in the production year 2022/2023, which is a payment. Compensation for cutting fresh sugar cane is 120 baht/ton under a budget of 8,000 million baht, which the Ministry of Industry has proposed in time. Because various agencies must consider first, including the Ministry of Finance National Economic and Social Development Council and the Budget Bureau It is believed that the proposal will be presented in time for the meeting. Next time, Cabinet.