Ratchaburi: Suchatchavee visited Ratchaburi to listen to concerns about low milk prices. He pointed out that the Thai milk market is flooded with unsold milk due to imports of cheap powdered milk. He emphasized the need for structural solutions to ensure the survival of the Thai dairy industry and requested votes for his candidate for Member of Parliament in Constituency 3.
According to Thai News Agency, Professor Dr. Suchatvee Suwansawat, Prime Minister candidate and leader of the Thai Kao Mai Party, and Mr. Apirak Chaichana Panyarachun, candidate for Member of Parliament for Ratchaburi Constituency 3, visited the Nong Pho Ratchaburi Dairy Cooperative Limited (under Royal Patronage) to discuss and listen to the problems of low milk prices with Mr. Subin Pom-ocha, Chairman of the Nong Pho Ratchaburi Dairy Cooperative Limited, and Mr. Thongchai Deekham, Manager of the Nong Pho Ratchaburi Dairy Cooperative Limited, on January 22, 2026.
Dr. Ae Suchatchavee discussed the problems in the dairy industry, stating that currently, farmers nationwide face a surplus of raw milk with no buyers due to the import of powdered milk from foreign countries, particularly Australia and New Zealand, which have lower costs than domestic raw milk (approximately 12-13 baht per kilogram). This has led some large-scale producers to choose imported powdered milk instead of domestic raw milk, resulting in the dumping of raw milk and a continuous increase in the number of farmers forced to abandon dairy farming.
"Today, cattle farming as a profession is disappearing. Some people are selling their cows and quitting. If we don't fix the entire system, the future of the Thai dairy industry will gradually vanish," said Dr. Ae Suchatchavee.
Dr. Ae Suchatchavee also stated that he places particular importance on the issue of the milk industry because he has children himself and believes that Thailand's dairy industry must be sustainable. However, the main problem is that the overall management system does not reflect reality.
Meanwhile, domestic milk consumption is approximately 2,900 tons per day, an increase from the past. However, the government lacks a serious campaign to encourage the public to drink milk, resulting in Thai raw milk being discarded and neglected, despite its value if managed properly.
'If the government can solve these problems-including imports, management, and promoting consumption-the Thai dairy industry will become strong again,' said Dr. Ae Suchatchavee.
Following the discussion, Dr. Ae Suchatchawee and the executives of Nong Pho Dairy Cooperative shared a drink of Nong Pho milk, which is plain milk in cartons.
Dr. Ae Suchatchavee and his team of parliamentary candidates then campaigned at the Photharam Dam market and the Wat Muang community market to support Mr. Apirakchai Panyarachun, the Thai Kao Mai Party's candidate for Constituency 3. The atmosphere was lively, with vendors and the public warmly welcoming them. At one point, a female vendor greeted Dr. Ae Suchatchavee and said, "He's even more handsome in person. I've only ever seen him on TV. I'm so happy to meet him here today."