May 30, 2008

Thai shrimp farmers to rally against falling shrimp prices
   

Thai shrimp farmers from six southern provinces have announced their intention to stage a major rally in early June if the government still does not have a clear proposal to assist the troubled industry.

The shrimp farmers have asked the government and related authorities to facilitate solutions to handle declining shrimp prices and high input costs, said Bandit Rammak, leader of the shrimp farmers. 

The group attended a meeting with the permanent secretary for commerce on Monday (May 26, 2008) for the discussion on the farmers' problems but there is yet to be any progress, according to Bandit.

Bandit said the permanent secretary had said he would forward the farmers' requests to the minister of commerce and the minister of agriculture and cooperatives.

The farmers will issue a last request to the government for help, said Bandit, who also asks shrimp farmers to join in the rally.