In Prachuap Khiri Khan, the Bang Saphan coconut farmers' protest escalated, starting from zero with a rally in front of the Bang Saphan district office after coconut prices have sharply dropped for over four months to only 5 baht per fruit. They submitted seven demands, including halting imports of foreign coconuts.
At 11:30 a.m. on 7 July 2026, at the rain tree courtyard of the Bang Saphan district office in Prachuap Khiri Khan province, Mr. Pongsak Butrak, leader of the coconut farmers' network, gathered coconut farmers to protest and demand government intervention to address the continuously falling coconut prices, which have now dropped to just 5 baht each. Production costs have risen due to oil price issues. They submitted demands through the Bang Saphan district chief to Ms. Supachai Suthamphan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Commerce, urging urgent price solutions.
Mr. Pongsak Butrak, leader of Prachuap Khiri Khan coconut farmers, revealed that on Sunday, 5 July, he and representatives met with Mr. Pongpan Paoprathan, Member of Parliament for Prachuap Khiri Khan's 3rd district, and officials from the Ministry of Agriculture and Ministry of Commerce to relay the problems for authorities to address.
They learned that coconut imports are still ongoing. Ministry representatives explained that some shipments are already at sea and cannot be immediately canceled or stopped, as these imports were based on advance purchase contracts.
Additionally, figures on imports of coconut milk and frozen coconut milk are unclear. The Ministry of Commerce stated these imports are outside their responsibility; the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) oversees them. This means imported coconuts depress Thai coconut prices, and imported coconut milk and frozen coconut milk add to the pressure, leaving farmers with little.
“For today's protest, we obtained permission within legal frameworks and submitted a letter through the Bang Saphan district chief to Pharmacist Supatra Boonserm, FDA Secretary-General, and Ms. Supachai, Minister of Commerce. We demand the Minister personally hear farmers’ problems and explain solutions on 14 July at 2:00 p.m. at the Bang Saphan district auditorium.”
The coconut farmers' demands are:
1. Delay imports until the price of mature coconuts is not less than 18 baht each and white coconuts are not below 35 baht per kilogram.
2. Listen to opinions from coconut farmers across multiple provinces before allowing imports.
3. Establish a National Coconut Committee with coconut farmer representatives.
4. Promote coconuts as a strategic economic crop for food security with prices that sustain farmers’ livelihoods.
5. All imported coconuts must be calculated as fruit units and combined with existing domestic supply before allowing additional imports.
6. Implement measures to control and clearly indicate the source of raw materials.
7. Imported coconuts should not be processed outside authorized factories.
During today's protest, coconut farmers submitted their letter through Mr. Nimit Wongjinda, Bang Saphan district chief, to forward to the Minister of Commerce and FDA Secretary-General. Afterward, protesters symbolically burned a coffin and effigies. They plan to regroup on 14 July at the Bang Saphan district auditorium before dispersing around 1:45 p.m. Throughout the protest, police from Prachuap Khiri Khan province and local volunteers maintained order and ensured protesters’ safety.