March 11, 2004

Thailand Hands Out 37 Billion Baht In Bird Flu Compensation

The Thai Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives announced that it has spent more than 37 billion baht in bird flu compensations to date and that the areas free from bird flu infection for 90 days can begin poultry farming again.

"The areas that have been announced free from bird flu infection for 90 days for open farming system and 39 days for close system can begin poultry farming again," said the Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister Somsak Thepsuthin.

Somsak explained that the ministry has paid a total of 37,639,940 baht to more than 6,289 poultry farmers in Chiang Rai, Ang Thong, Nakon Ratchasima, Singha Buri, Ratchaburi, and Petchaburi. The compensation will reach those in the rest of the effected provinces soon.

The ministry is also cooperating with local low-interest loan sources in order to help villagers rehabilitate and restart their poutry business. Moreover, the study of poultry farming