The launch of several populist projects by the Prayut Chan-o-cha government, especially those targeting poor farmers ahead of the election planned for early next year, are seen as a thinly disguised ploy to canvas support from prospective voters.
But while the administration is pushing for these projects, including one to give VAT refunds to 11.4 million farmers with welfare cards, or a three-year debt moratorium for farmers who owe less than 300,000 baht to the Bank of Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives, it is paying scant attention to the reform of the agricultural sector, which is the heart of the matter. Populist policies are like taking painkillers without diagnosing the root problem -- with the result that farmers are still left to struggle.
Wichit Chantanusornsiri is a senior economics reporter, Bangkok Post.
