Suphan buri: Yotsanan Wongsawat and Chulaphan Amornvivat, key figures of the Pheu Thai Party, visited Suphan Buri to engage with local residents and discuss pressing issues faced by the agricultural community. They emphasized a policy of ensuring a 30% profit guarantee on agricultural products, aiming to empower farmers towards self-sufficiency.
According to Thai News Agency, the visit included prospective Pheu Thai Party parliamentary candidates for Suphan Buri, namely Prayoon Inskul, Chaiporn Seethan, and Kulthida Maopetch. During their visit to Ban Pho Subdistrict in Mueang District, they engaged with community representatives who voiced concerns over water management and low agricultural product prices. The representatives highlighted how shifting government policies have led to inconsistent solutions, urging that the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives be managed by knowledgeable individuals.
In response, Chulaphan humorously acknowledged the concerns, expressing a commitment to ensuring the Ministry is led by those who understand agriculture. The villagers requested that rice prices remain between 10,000-20,000 baht per ton due to high production costs.
Yotsanan assured that the concerns, including issues related to floods, droughts, and transportation, will be considered in policy-making. He highlighted the use of science to enhance agricultural efficiency and introduced a 30% profit guarantee for agricultural products. He emphasized government responsibility in managing agricultural prices, in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and stated that they are prepared to implement these measures once the Pheu Thai Party forms the next government.
Chulaphan announced an agricultural policy proposal to the Election Commission that includes distributing fertilizer and seed coupons, alongside a debt suspension policy for farmers. This policy aims to support farmers without requiring principal or interest payments for three years. He reaffirmed the party's commitment to farmers, emphasizing that the profit guarantee will extend to all agricultural products.
At Wat Pho Thasai, Yotsanan delivered his first public speech as a Pheu Thai Party candidate, expressing gratitude to the Suphan Buri community. He called Suphan Buri the "rice bowl of the country" and expressed confidence in the potential for change in both the province and Thailand. He outlined plans to advance science and technology in agriculture, aiming to raise rice prices and ensure a 30% profit margin for farmers.
Yotsanan reflected on past crises, referencing the 1997 financial crisis and the role of the Thai Rak Thai party in debt alleviation, asserting that the experience of party members will aid in confronting future challenges like climate change. He urged voters to support the Pheu Thai Party to facilitate improvement across the province.
Chulapan reiterated the party's policy offerings, including the debt relief program for farmers and distribution of agricultural coupons, citing historical policy successes under previous Pheu Thai leadership. He encouraged voters to support the Pheu Thai Party in the upcoming election to bring about meaningful change.