BAAC Approves 1,000 Baht Per Rai Farmer Relief
The Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives (BAAC) board has approved a 1,000 baht per rai relief payment for rice farmers, with transfers expected to begin this week. The emergency meeting, chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Pichai Chunhavajira, also greenlit four additional support programs covering rice pledging, maize collection, and longan orchard development. Farmers are advised to contact local BAAC branches immediately to verify eligibility and update banking details.
Acting on Agriculture Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit's directive to expedite aid for farmers nationwide, the newly completed BAAC board held an emergency meeting on November 10 after the Cabinet approved its full roster. Chaired by Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira, the board approved five assistance projects, headlined by the 1,000 baht per rai payout for rice farmers in the 2025/26 production year. Permanent Secretary Raphiphat Chandrasriwong said the approvals were fast-tracked to deliver relief as quickly as possible, with preliminary estimates indicating transfers could begin within the week. The other approved measures include rice pledging loans for 2026/27, maize collection and value-added loans, improved maize cultivation efficiency, and an extended longan orchard development project. The ministry urged farmers to contact their local BAAC branches immediately to verify eligibility, prepare documents, and update bank account details for the incoming transfers. The meeting proceeded with a full quorum following the Cabinet's appointment of Raphiphat as vice-chairman and Wattana Manthisan, Secretary-General of the Agricultural Land Reform Office, as a board member.
