Flooded Rice Fields Leave 200 Farmers in Debt, Seeking State Help

More than 200 acres of rice fields in Moo 7, Chom Bueng District, Ratchaburi Province, have been underwater for several days, destroying month-old rice plants. Farmers have reported the flooding to local authorities repeatedly, but officials only visit to take pictures before the matter goes silent. Many residents have attempted to sell their land for years without success, leaving them financially devastated and pleading for media attention to reach decision-makers.

Reporters visiting the Chom Bueng-Suan Phung bypass road found flooded fields stretching across the landscape, with land-for-sale signs submerged underwater. Local farmer Suthorn Sroysark explained that heavy rains over several days inundated 200 to 300 acres of rice paddies. The rice plants, only about a month old, were submerged for a week and suffered total crop failure. Nearly every farming family is now in debt.

Farmers have requested help with drainage infrastructure and planning but received none. Compensation applications have been rejected because the area was not officially declared a disaster zone. Community leaders have questioned why farmers would continue farming land that floods annually, but farming is the only livelihood many families have known for generations. Farmers must borrow from agricultural banks to invest in crops, yet receive nothing in return when floods destroy their harvest, leaving them unable to repay loans.

Residents are asking authorities to design and construct permanent drainage channels or canals to relieve the annual flooding. Some farmers have tried selling their land to pursue other occupations but have found no buyers willing to purchase flood-prone property. They are appealing to the media to highlight their crisis and urge authorities to intervene with a lasting solution.