Southern Shrimp Farmers Give Government 10-Day Ultimatum
Southern shrimp farmers demand the government resolve their crisis within 10 days, citing farm-gate prices below production costs and a stalled Shrimp Board meant to support the industry. The Thai Shrimp Farmers Network Association warned o
On July 3, 2569, at the Pak Panang Lower Basin Shrimp Cooperative in Nakhon Si Thammarat, shrimp farmers from the Thai Shrimp Farmers Network Association, led by chairman Kratchit Maerak, submitted a letter to MPs Phitthak Detchdetcho (Nakhon Si Thammarat) and Juri Numkaew (Songkhla), deputy leader of the Democratic Party. They urged the government to urgently resolve shrimp farming issues within 10 days, warning they are prepared to escalate demands if no progress is made.
Kratchit stated that shrimp farmers have been neglected by the state and face a severe crisis as shrimp prices at farm gates and collection points have fallen below production costs. This contrasts sharply with continuously rising energy costs, feed prices, and other production expenses. Furthermore, the establishment of a Shrimp Board to manage the marine shrimp production supply chain remains stalled, leaving farmers without mechanisms to voice concerns and participate in concrete solutions.
The association submitted six urgent demands: (1) Establish a functioning Shrimp Board with government, private sector, cooperatives, and farmer representatives to address industry problems; (2) Implement emergency price stabilization measures to prevent farm-gate prices from falling below production costs, with the Commerce Ministry promoting domestic shrimp consumption and the Health and Education Ministries incorporating shrimp into school lunch and hospital meal programs at least once weekly; (3) Make shrimp farming a national priority with 11 measures; (4) Control production factors like energy, feed, and aquatic medicine; (5) Urgently support solar energy installations on shrimp farms; (6) Prevent shrimp imports during price downturns.
Farmers have given the government 10 days to respond. If no concrete progress is made, nationwide shrimp farmers will unite for maximum-level escalated action. Following the letter submission, Phitthak and Juri burned incense symbolically, with Juri stating the gesture urges the agriculture ministry to quickly establish the Shrimp Board so citizens can represent farmers' interests.
