Minister Suriya revealed that the Ministry of Agriculture is working at full speed to study a comprehensive debt relief measure for farmers, but whether it can be implemented depends on policy-level discussions.
Mr. Suriya Juangroongruangkit, Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives, stated that the ministry is actively reviewing debt relief for farmers according to the set policy. However, the feasibility depends on consultations with party leaders and the Prime Minister, as it is uncertain whether the 500 billion baht loan the government is considering can be used for this purpose.
A reporter from the Pheu Thai Party reported that the Ministry of Agriculture is currently accelerating its review of debt relief for farmers. What differs from past measures is the plan to suspend both principal and interest to avoid burdening farmers later. Therefore, the ministry is carefully considering this policy before proposing it to the government for further consideration.
"The farmer debt relief program will expand the loan amount from the previous government's limit. This time, it will suspend both principal and interest on debtors’ loans from the Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives (BAAC) up to 500,000 baht, compared to the prior limit of 300,000 baht without interest suspension. Previously, while principal payments were deferred, interest continued to accrue, which became a burden rather than aid for farmers. Thus, this round of debt relief will suspend both principal and interest."
/ State policy /