Buriram Farmers Press Government for Harvest Subsidies Amid Soaring Costs

"Fertilizer is expensive, fuel is expensive, this year is terrible," Buriram farmers urge the government to speed up harvest subsidies to reduce costs, hoping rice prices will jump to 15,000 baht per ton. On October 31, 2026, farmers in Som Poi tambon, Non Din Daeng district, Buriram, who are preparing to harvest the 2026/27 rainy-season rice crop in mid-November, are planning to delay selling paddy at the start of the season. They will store the harvested rice in barns first to monitor price movements, hoping prices will adjust higher than last year. Farmers admit production costs remain a heavy burden, with both fertilizer and fuel prices rising continuously. They want paddy prices to move up to 15,000 baht per ton so that income can cover farming costs, after several years of paddy prices not reaching 10,000 baht per ton. Mr. Khorin Champathong, 54, a farmer in Som Poi, Non Din Daeng, revealed his family farms 18 rai, usually yielding about 7-8 tons per year. This year he expects about 8-9 tons, slightly more than last year, and anticipates harvesting to begin in mid-November 2026. Mr. Khorin added that due to natural disasters in many provinces, including flash floods and inundation, which have damaged planting areas, he believes overall rice production this year may decline. Therefore, he plans not to rush to sell all his rice early in the season but will store most of it in barns to wait for market price direction. Mr. Khorin also said if paddy prices can adjust up to no less than 15,000 baht per ton, he will consider selling, because he wants a price that is worthwhile against production costs. He noted fertilizer is expensive, fuel is expensive, this year is terrible. He previously joined the barn pledging scheme to delay sales and wait for a suitable price moment. Mr. Khorin further said this year he hopes rice prices will adjust higher so farmers have enough income for increased expenses. He asked the government to quickly approve harvest assistance funds for rice, lower fertilizer prices, and lower fuel prices. Currently fuel is nearly 50 baht per liter, which is terrible. He wants help to reduce the cost burden and alleviate the suffering of farmers during the harvest season.