Opposition MP Demands Scrap of Electric Tractor Project
Thai Phakdee Party leader Dr. Warong Dechgitvigrom challenged Agriculture Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit in parliament over a 1.16 trillion baht electric tractor scheme, calling it confused, overpriced, and unwanted by 80% of farmers who already own tractors. The minister and his deputy both declined to answer directly. Dr. Warong demanded the project be scrapped, saying farmers need affordable fuel and fertilizer instead.
At 11:10 a.m. on October 22, 2026, during a House of Representatives session chaired by Speaker Sopon Sarum, list MP and Thai Phakdee Party leader Dr. Warong Dechgitvigrom questioned Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit about the electric tractor plowing project.
Speaker Sopon announced that Minister Suriya had assigned Deputy Minister Woraphot Khawkham to respond on his behalf, but Woraphot reported a pressing engagement and asked that the questions be summarized and forwarded to the minister.
Dr. Warong stated that the electric tractor project, as presented by Minister Suriya in interviews, remains confusing and contradicts facts. After the project was submitted to the loan-scrutiny committee with a 1.16 trillion baht budget, details remain unclear: how many tractors, the unit price, the brand, and the country of origin.
"From studying the documents, I found discomfort because the information does not match reality," Dr. Warong said. "For example, documents say money must be collected from farmers, but the minister says plowing is free. Details show about 10,000 farmers benefit across 300,000 rai, yet it costs over 1 trillion baht — considered excessive spending."
Dr. Warong further asked whether the project proposal was based on prior research, whether officials had seen electric tractors in Thailand, and whether farmers were consulted. He emphasized farmers do not want the project because no fewer than 80% already have their own tractors. What farmers need more is cheaper fuel and fertilizer. He warned that if the project is not cancelled, Minister Suriya will be "farming on farmers' backs."
