Mentors Posted November 21, 2008 Report Share Posted November 21, 2008 Somsak: Middle East hunting for Thai land (BangkokPost.com) - The minister of agriculture is hoping to persuade the Cabinet to issue a law preventing excessive land grabbing by Middle Eastern groups. Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives, Somsak Prissananantakul revealed his ministry has received reports of groups from Middle Eastern countries collaborating with large agriculture firms in Thailand to grab up farm land through mass-buying and renting of farmers' land. Mr. Somsak said this would lead farmers to their downfall. The agriculture minister said his ministry is not idly sitting by and preventive measures against land grabbing are being sought. According to Mr. Somsak, the issue would be brought up for discussion at a Cabinet meeting so appropriate laws on land rent or ownership could be laid down. One idea would be limiting holding of land to 50 rai per person. http://www.bangkokpost.com/breaking_news/breakingnews.php?id=132180 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
khunsanuk Posted November 22, 2008 Report Share Posted November 22, 2008 Hi, So, I guess exploiting of farmers is a restricted profession? Sanuk! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drogon Posted November 22, 2008 Report Share Posted November 22, 2008 I thought land could not be sold to foreigners... Why would sand people be allowed to own land when we are not? Exploiting farmers? This is a (wealthy) only Thai profession Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The_Munchmaster Posted November 22, 2008 Report Share Posted November 22, 2008 I know that Abu Dhabi is buying agricultural land in other countries, mainly African, to grow crops for itself but hadn't heard about Thailand! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CTO Posted November 23, 2008 Report Share Posted November 23, 2008 Cambodia is having a huge influx of Middle East $ to buy agricultural land Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
radioman Posted November 24, 2008 Report Share Posted November 24, 2008 They are exploiting the loopholes in company land ownership. As indeed many others have done in the past. I would expect to see some more tweaking of the land laws in time. No rush as they will make it retroactive and grab all the land back, this time passing it to some Thai big shot whilst claiming to have saved the farmers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mentors Posted November 24, 2008 Author Report Share Posted November 24, 2008 hope my wife and I don't have to say hello to middle east neighbours in the future. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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