Kanchanaburi: Mr. Jurin Laksanawisit, former leader of the Democrat Party and a candidate in the party's proportional representation system, met with farmers' networks in the central region to discuss rehabilitation funds. Accompanied by Ms. Rachadaporn Kaewsanit and other Democrat Party candidates, Mr. Jurin convened with representatives from the Agricultural Rehabilitation and Development Fund at Wat Huai Yang in Kanchanaburi Province.
According to Thai News Agency, the meeting was lively, with farmers expressing their desire for the return of the Democrat Party's crop price guarantee policy. This policy was previously implemented by Mr. Jurin and is credited with benefiting grassroots farmers by providing direct payments to cover price differences during periods of low crop prices. Farmers highlighted the current significant price drops in agricultural products, including rice and cassava, and advocated for the reinstatement of this system.
Mr. Jurin reiterated the Democrat Party's commitment to the farmer income guarantee policy, emphasizing its effectiveness. He underscored the party's focus on addressing farmers' debt issues through the Agricultural Rehabilitation and Development Fund (ARDF), which aims to prevent land seizures and eliminate interest by purchasing and transferring debts from financial institutions to the ARDF. This initiative, first introduced during Mr. Chuan Leekpai's premiership in 1999 and continued by Mr. Abhisit Vejjajiva in 2009, has allocated significant funds for debt reduction and restructuring.
Mr. Jurin encouraged the network to communicate the party's policies nationwide and urged support in the upcoming February 8th election. He expressed gratitude for the network's commitment to support the Democrat Party, number 27.
Mr. Yosawat Chaiwattanasirikul, chairman of the national network, also addressed the gathering, urging members to support those dedicated to resolving their issues. He encouraged coordination and advocacy for the Democrat Party, expressing confidence in its ability to form the government and continue addressing agricultural challenges. He noted unanimous support from network members across all provinces for the Democrat Party.