Some 30 executive committee members of the Thai Rice Millers Association have stepped down amid criticism that rice millers are behind the recent slump in rice prices.
The decision was declared by the association's president, Manas Kitprasert, during a news briefing Thursday. Mr Manas stepped down as president.
Mr Manas said millers had always followed government policy and adhered to the principle that farmers must be prioritised. However, millers have now been accused of working with politicians to drive down rice prices for political gain.
Manas: Insists millers followed government policy
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha earlier blamed rice mill operators and some local politicians for manipulating rice prices, causing the price plunge.
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He insisted millers could not afford to buy rice at prices expected by farmers.
He noted more than 1,000 members of the association will still buy grain from farmers in line with market mechanisms and the organisation will not interfere in the process.
"We cannot say all people in this business are good. There are good and bad people in all businesses," he said.
"Most of us have cooperated with the government to help farmers."
The fall in rice prices was caused by global market trends, while prices also hinge on the moisture content of the rice, he said, adding prices are still on a downward trend.
He affirmed prices of milled rice sold by millers move in line with those of unmilled rice. Millers are also ready for authorities to inspect scales used for weighing grain, he said.
Mr Manas said he did not resign because he felt hurt or to protest against the government, insisting he was loyal to Gen Prayut.
The cabinet on Tuesday approved a rice subsidy scheme of 13,000 baht per tonne for Hom Mali rice to help farmers in the North and the Northeast suffering from tumbling prices.
Of the 13,000 baht, 9,500 baht will be paid to farmers to store their rice, while the rest covers other costs, including maintenance and storage.
The programme took effect on Tuesday and runs until Feb 28.
Vichai Srinawakul, vice-president of the association, said the measure has caused farmers to sell less rice, stabilising Hom Mali rice prices at 9,000 baht per tonne.
Meanwhile, the Interior Ministry has instructed provincial governors to find ways to help farmers suffering from the fall in rice prices.
The measures include holding a meeting between state and private sector representatives to help farmers, permanent secretary for interior Grisada Boonrach said.
The meeting, he said, must allow rice traders, millers and farmers to share their thoughts to promote understanding, while surveys must be carried out when millers buy rice from farmers to ward off attempts to exploit growers.
Damrong Tham centres in districts must gather the concerns of farmers to be presented to relevant agencies, he said.
"There must be no demonstrations by farmers to pressure state agencies," said Mr Grisada, adding such action can trigger public disturbances.
In Ratchaburi, deputy provincial governor Niwat Rungsakorn on Thursday held a meeting with operators providing rice harvesting machinery to seek their cooperation to lower service charges.
Operators insisted costs were high due to labour, fuel and transport expenses, but they would consider negotiating with farmers, Mr Niwat said.
Speaking of the government's role in tackling the falling rice prices in the draft charter, Constitution Drafting Committee (CDC) chairman Meechai Ruchupan said the CDC outlined the principle that governments can help farmers in a reasonable manner and the assistance must neither lead to corruption nor overspending.
Government projects must be carried out according the monetary and fiscal policy being drafted by the Finance Ministry, he said. Based on the bill, indication must be given of the financial resources used to offset losses in government projects.
Meanwhile, ex-prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra visited the northeastern provinces of Ubon Ratchathani and Surin on Thursday to speak to farmers suffering from the low rice prices.
She said she wanted to give moral support to farmers after learning rice prices had fallen to the lowest level in a decade.
Ms Yingluck also bought packaged rice from farmers during the visits.
Kanthong Thongsri, an Ubon Ratchathani farmer, said rice prices had fallen markedly after the rice-pledging scheme ended.
In Traton Thursday, a Marine Corps task force bought rice from a community-based rice mill in tambon Nuen Sai of Muang district.
Rice was handed over during the visit by the task force's chief, Samoraphum Jantho.
Capt Samoraphum said the government and the navy chief have a clear policy to encourage the armed forces to buy grain from communities to help farmers.
He said his task force will buy 10 tonnes of grain per month from the community.
In Chai Nat, farmers called on the government to help farmers who grow other kinds of rice besides Hom Mali rice.
Thawatchai Eiamjit, a Chai Nat farmer, said the government's recently introduced measure is unfair for those in the Central Plains who grow white khao chao, who also suffer losses due to the falling prices. The government, he said, should come up with urgent measures to assist them.
