Chiang Rai News
Yingluck Says “Rice-Buying Plan Will Spur Economy”
Thailand, which supplies about 30 percent of world rice exports, plans to buy grain at 44 percent above local market rates, according to calculations based on data from the Thai Rice Mills Association
Thailand’s plan to buy rice at above- market rates will allow farmers “to make a living” and boost growth in Southeast Asia’s second-largest economy, Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra said.
“This is a significant policy of the government to boost crop prices and increase rural income, which will help spur domestic spending and stimulate economic growth,” Yingluck said today in Bangkok.
Yingluck aims to insulate the country of 67 million people from a global slowdown and the nation’s worst flooding in half a decade by lifting incomes of poorer Thais who propelled her party to victory in a July election. The plan to guarantee rice prices may boost export rates by 20 percent to $735 a metric ton and erode Thailand’s share of the global market, according to a Bloomberg News survey of exporters, millers and traders.
“Thailand will be the last resource for buyers when there is no rice left elsewhere,” said Kiattisak Kanlayasirivat, a local director with Novel Commodities SA, which trades about $600 million of rice a year. “The government may be lucky to see the rice price climbing to $800 a ton without having to spend a lot of budget as floods across the region cut supply.”
Thailand, which supplies about 30 percent of world rice exports, plans to buy grain at 44 percent above local market rates, according to calculations based on data from the Thai Rice Mills Association. The finance ministry last week cut its 2011 growth forecast to a range of 3.8 percent to 4.3 percent, from an earlier estimate for a 4 percent to 5 percent expansion.
Prices ‘Appropriate’
The government’s plan to pay 15,000 baht ($482) per ton for white rice and 20,000 baht per ton for jasmine rice is “appropriate because they take into account production costs and profits that are enough for farmers to make a living,” said Yingluck, who took power two months ago.
The policy has already helped fuel a 26 percent rally in global food prices in the past year. The price of 100 percent grade-B Thai rice, the benchmark for Asia, has gained 18 percent to $615 a ton since Thailand’s July 3 election. Rice futures have climbed 12 percent in Chicago this year, boosted by the Thai policy and a smaller crop in the U.S.
Thailand’s export price may rise to $735 a ton, according to the median estimate in a Bloomberg News survey of six exporters, millers and traders on Oct. 5.
‘Uncertainty’
“We can expect global prices to rise if Thailand decides to sell at a price that will cover costs of procurement,” Samarendu Mohanty, a senior economist at the International Rice Research Institute, said on Sept. 30. “If the Thai government sells rice at subsidized prices, it may lower global prices.”
The government hasn’t said when it may sell stockpiled rice.
“That has to be closely watched,” Commerce Minister Kittiratt Na-Ranong said today. Kittiratt last week said he’s “confident” that Thailand will be able to sell the grain through government-to-government contracts.
“The plan may increase government stockpiles and potentially increase government control of the rice trade,” Mohanty said. “The more we see the government intervention, the more uncertainty will be in the market.”
Indonesia’s state food company agreed to buy 100,000 tons of Thai rice through a tender, President Director Sutarto Alimoeso said today. A government-to-government deal to purchase 300,000 tons was scrapped last week because of disagreement over prices, Kittiratt said on Sept. 26.
Vietnam’s Exports
Rice exports from Thailand may fall to 8.5 million tons next year, from an estimated 10.3 million tons in 2011, according to the United Nations Food & Agriculture Organization. Vietnam will ship about 7.3 million tons.
“Exports from Vietnam could come even closer to those of Thailand, or even match them by 2013,” Concepcion Calpe, a senior economist at the FAO, said by phone from Rome.
Shipments from India, which last month lifted a ban on exports of non-basmati rice, may make up some of the shortfall, and Thai rates “will be a ceiling for international rice prices,” Anthony Lam, vice chairman at Hong Kong-based trader Golden Resources Development International Ltd., said yesterday.
The government has said it will spend as much as 410 billion baht on the program between Oct. 7 and Feb. 29. It may buy about 15 million tons of unmilled rice, Kittiratt said.
“The program does create much uncertainty, especially as many view its implementation as unsustainable in the longer term because of the huge financial resources that the government would have to make available to procure very large volumes and to keep them in storage,” the FAO’s Calpe said.
Lower Output
Thailand has about 3.3 million rice-farming households and total plantation area of 60 million rai (9.6 million hectares), according to the farm ministry.
The ministry yesterday cut its forecast for production from the main harvest by 12 percent to 22.73 million metric tons after floods damaged crops. About 3.07 million tons of rice may be damaged, it said.
Yingluck today urged officials involved in the process to guard against corruption and smuggling.
“The plan has influenced plantings and could increase annual production to a record if there is no major setback,” the FAO’s Calpe said. “Smuggling from neighboring countries will take place, as the price differential will make this very attractive.”
Chiangrai Rice Farmers to Benefit form Price Hike
To contact the reporter on this story: Supunnabul Suwannakij in Bangkok at [email protected]
To contact the editor responsible for this story: James Poole at [email protected]
Police in Wiang Kaen District of Chiang Rai Province have arrested a 50 year old man after the threatened to rape a 20 year-old woman and the proceeded to murder her 2 and half month old baby.
Police with doctors from Wiang Kaen Hospital and the Chao Luang Wiang Kaen Welfare Association were summoned to the scene of the incident to a 2-story cement house, Village No. 2, Tha Kham Subdistrict, Wiang Kaen District of Chiang Rai
On arrival they found Ms. Chanikarn, age 20, in a state of distress crying uncontrollably beside her 2 and a half month baby girl (Linlada) that was dead on the floor.
After calming Ms. Chanikarn, the child’s mother, said that at approximately 2:30 p.m she was out to collect diapers that had been dried in front of the house, while her 2 and a half month old daughter was sleep on the ground floor of the house.
She said she was suddenly approached by a Mr. Lee, about 40 years old, who lived on the opposite side of the road. He came towards her and grabbed her arm and threatened her saying if she didn’t sleeping with him he will go and kill his daughter.
Miss Chanikan refused and ran away, then Mr. Lee then walked into the house and grabbed Ms. Linlada’s leg, smashing the child’s head against the cement floor of the house. The infant died immediately.
Mr. Lee then just walked away and returned to his own home, leaving Miss Chanikan and her dead baby.
When police went to Mr. Lee’s home he immediately confessed killing the infant and was taken to Wiang Kaen Police Station for further questioning. Under caution he told police that he was sexually attracted to Miss Chanikan‘s and when her husband leave for work he took the opportunity to approach her.
He said when he saw her husband leave he crossed that road and found Miss Chanikan in the yard alone, he then threatened her to sleep with him, saying he would kill her child if she didn’t have sex with him. However when she refused he flew into a fit of rage walked into her home and murdered he baby. He said he was out of control with rage.
After killing the infant he walk across the street to his home and waited for the police to arrive. The police have charged him with premeditated murder and attempted rape. He is being held without bail at the local remand center.
Meanwhile, Miss Chanikan and her family were preparing a religious burial ceremony for the child.
Other Chiang Rai News:
Machete Wielding Man Shot an Killed by Police in Chiang Rai
https://www.chiangraitimes.com/chiangrai-news/machete-wielding-man-shot-an-killed-by-police-in-chiang-rai/
CHIANG RAI: Prime Minister Settha Thavisin has authorized the establishment of an emergency cyber center operated by the Royal Thai Police to combat transnational crimes committed by call center gangs along the Thai border in Chiang Rai province.
On July 19, Prime Minister Settha Thavisin directed the Center to combat information technology crimes. The Royal Thai Police (Royal Thai Police) will crack down on call center gangs in Myanmar, Laos, and along the border.
His directive comes as call center gangs ratchet up their scams to defraud people of their money, causing concern among Thais and jeopardizing the country’s economic and social stability.
Pol. Gen. Kittirat Panphet, Deputy Commander and Director of the Police Crime Suppression Division, Assigned Pol. Lt. Gen. Thatchai Pitanilabut, Assistant Commander-in-Chief of the Police/Deputy Director of the Police Crime Suppression Division, has launched the operation ‘Bombing the Thieves’ Bridge’ in collaboration with the CAT Office, G., mobile phone network operators AIS DTAC TRUE NT, and local security agencies to cut the mobile phone signal and WiFi internet that criminals illegally use to deceive Thai citizens.
Pol. Lt. Gen. Thatchai stated that they will begin pressing the first action of the ‘Explosion of Thieves’ Bridge’ in Chiang Rai Province toward the thieves’ base of operations in the Golden Triangle Special Economic Zone.
The territory surrounding King Roman in Laos. King Roman is now a full-service entertainment destination with an airport that welcomes travelers from Thailand, Laos, and Myanmar, he explained.
According to Pol. Lt. Gen. Thatchai, this operation will have no influence on honest people along the Thai border, and it will only target cyber criminals.
They will also increase the arrest and prosecution of unlawful service towers, such as SIM booths, which allow gangs register SIM cards to swindle the people. Dealing with criminal organizations of foreigners and Thais who band together to deceive and damage Thais.
The National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) suspended more than three million SIM cards on July 16 because the holders had not verified their identities with their mobile phone operators by the deadline, in accordance with the NBTC’s measures to combat alleged fraudsters’ mule accounts.
The names of the holders of 80 million mobile phone numbers used for mobile banking transactions did not match the names associated with the mobile banking accounts.
The NBTC would require mobile phone companies to authenticate SIM card holders and the names of their mobile banking accounts. The verification procedure is expected to be completed by the end of September this year.
In addition, the NBTC and Royal Thai Police have collaborated to combat illegal telecom towers throughout the country’s borders, disconnecting signals at 465 places, altering antenna direction at 470 towers, and dismantling antennas at 179 locations.
They are certain that the move will disrupt contact center gangs and other types of technology-based crime.
Other Chiang Rai News:
Machete Wielding Man Shot an Killed by Police in Chiang Rai
https://www.chiangraitimes.com/chiangrai-news/machete-wielding-man-shot-an-killed-by-police-in-chiang-rai/
Police in Mae Chan, Chiang Rai, shot and killed a 28-year-old man who allegedly attacked a police officer with a machete. The officer was slashed in the right leg with the machete.
According to police, the culprit, known only as Mr. Toon, had been harassing local villagers in Mae Chan district, Chiang Rai, threatening them with a knife and using violet insults.
The village headman arrived on the scene to try to calm Mr. Toon, but he was shouting hysterically and taking swipes at him with the machete, so he contacted the police.
When the responding officer arrived at the site about 9 p.m., he attempted to calm the man, but he instead assaulted the officer, slashing his right leg with the machete. In self-defense, the cop had to fire his gun at Mr. Toon, striking him in the chest.
Mr. Toon and the policeman were taken to Mae Chan Hospital, where Mr. Toon died of a gunshot wound. Pol Sgt. Sutthikiat Phanomphraisakul was released from the hospital after receiving numerous stitches for his injuries.
Local police received a tip around 9.30 p.m. yesterday that a guy was causing mayhem in the village. When authorities arrived, they discovered 28-year-old Toon strolling along a public road, holding a large knife and threatening people. Mae Chan district officials attempted to contain the incident.
During a search of Mr. Toon’s home, authorities discovered methamphetamine consumption equipment. Locals told authorities that the man was addicted to Yaba (Methamphetamine) and an alcoholic.
The authorities are conducting an inquiry to determine Toon’s motivations and whether any underlying issues contributed to his violent outburst.
Other related news:
Chiang Mai Police Offer Cash Reward After Officer Killed
https://www.chiangraitimes.com/crime/chiang-mai-police-offer-reward/
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