Coconut Farmers Burn Effigy at District Office Over Price Crisis

Coconut growers from Prachuap Khiri Khan staged a symbolic protest at Bang Saphan District Office on September 23, burning a large golden effigy to voice anger over the continuing coconut price crisis. Network leader Pongsak Butarak said farmers gathered to demonstrate their frustration with provincial and agency responses, citing that current prices do not reflect actual trading values and unfairly suppress farmer incomes. White coconut is selling for just 14 baht per kilogram, while young coconut prices have fallen despite entering a season of low yields, leaving farmers facing at least another month of depressed prices in October.

Butarak stated: "Current reference prices for large coconuts do not match reality and are suppressing prices too much. White coconut sells cheaply, young coconut prices are falling, and yields are low, yet farmers must still endure low prices." The network continues to oppose imports of whole coconuts, frozen and instant coconut milk, and processed coconut products, arguing these shipments undermine domestic price mechanisms. They are calling on the state to control imports while farmers struggle with low prices.

A previous protest on July 14 drew around 300 farmers with similar demands. In 2024, the government approved a 46.6 million baht coconut surplus absorption program with purchases through October 31, but farmers argue it remains insufficient. Prachuap Khiri Khan set reference prices for mature coconut at 6 baht per fruit and dried coconut meat at 15–18 baht per kilogram, though the network says these measures do not adequately address overall farmer income problems.

Butarak also called for restructuring the Provincial Coconut Committee to include more farmer representatives and coconut experts, giving them a stronger role in developing systemic solutions and enhancing Thai coconut competitiveness internationally. He criticized the province for marginalizing farmers in problem-solving processes.