Samut prakan: MPs from the People's Party are calling on the Minister of Agriculture to suspend debt payments for fishermen and farmers nationwide. MPs from Samut Prakan are preparing to submit a letter to the Minister of Agriculture, demanding a moratorium on debt payments and debt management for fishermen and farmers nationwide to alleviate the energy cost crisis.
According to Thai News Agency, a group of MPs from Samut Prakan province, representing the People's Party and led by Ms. Panida Mongkolsawas, submitted a letter to the Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives. They are urging for urgent assistance to be provided to fishermen and farmers affected by high fuel prices. Ms. Panida highlighted that a meeting of the Joint Public-Private Sector Committee for the Development and Resolution of Economic Problems in Samut Prakan Province, chaired by the Governor, included discussions with various government agencies, private sector organizations, and associations involved in business and occupations in the area about the hardships caused by the war crisis.
The proposal, originating from the fishermen's associations, suggested a nationwide debt moratorium for farmers due to soaring fuel prices. This issue directly impacts nearly all costs for commercial and small-scale fishermen, as well as aquaculture farmers in Samut Prakan Province. However, government relief measures for the fishing sector, like the proposal to support the use of B20 biodiesel to alleviate fuel costs, were found to be inadequate. Field visits with the Samut Prakan Energy Office revealed that B20 biodiesel is available at only three gas stations in Samut Prakan Province, making it difficult for fishermen to access the assistance. Additionally, the soft loan program intended for low-income individuals has not yet reached businesses and those affected, further worsening their economic difficulties due to rising living costs from increased fuel prices.
Ms. Panida also mentioned that she and a group of MPs plan to submit a letter to the Minister of Agriculture to present this matter to the Prime Minister, urging expedited measures to help alleviate the suffering of fishermen and farmers nationwide. She emphasized that this type of measure was previously used during the COVID-19 crisis and will not affect fiscal discipline, but instead support the target groups to overcome the difficult situation. Mr. Theprith Phasi, MP for Samut Prakan Constituency 8, added that the crisis affects aquaculture farmers, including those raising tilapia, white shrimp, and snakehead fish, due to increased transportation costs from rising fuel prices, as well as feed costs and the cost of fuel for pumping water into the ponds. He urged the government to implement measures to support and alleviate the suffering of farmers to help them overcome the fuel price crisis.
Ms. Panida summarized four proposals for the government to urgently implement: 1. Suspend principal and interest payments on all farmers' loans nationwide for one year. 2. During the suspension period, no interest should be charged. 3. Restructure debts to suit the repayment capacity of farmers facing difficult circumstances. 4. For farmers experiencing problems with informal lending, the Damrongtham Center and other agencies should intervene to assist and mediate with those borrowing from informal lenders. She concluded by stating that helping fishermen and farmers facing hardship is crucial for the country's continued growth, as they are at the forefront of the supply chain in Thailand.