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Published on April 3, 2008

You may be curious about what the kids have got to do with this.

The resolution covered the extension of new credit lines to grassroots people: the poor and very poor upcountry. In a separate move, the Cabinet also approved the sale of white rice at below-market prices to provincial people. The rationale is that when they have cheaper rice for eating, they'll have more money to spend. Eventually, this will boost their purchasing power. Right now, people have a smaller amount to spend since food prices have shot up to giddy heights. No matter how much Buddhist Thais want to give money and food for charitable causes, they are now constrained by circumstances.

It was reported that donations to orphans at Wat Sa Kaew, Angthong, have dropped accordingly. Mayuree Srinak, principal of Wat Sa Kaew School, says she has seen a sharp decline in donations of rice, vegetable oil, fish sauce, dried food and other items. For some time, there have also been fewer bookings for free lunches for the orphans on weekends. So to support the children, the temple has resorted to its foundation funds.

To feed the 1,195 children, the temple needs five 100-kg sacks of rice per day. Inclusive of other ingredients, its daily spending is about Bt20,000. Hopefully, when the grassroots people feel richer because of the Cabinet's resolution, they will return to help these children. But do not ask yet for help from the middle-class - who are sponsoring some of the expenses along with corporate taxpayers - for they are fretting how the measures could hurt their future income.

The Great Wall of Durians

On a national scale, we have experienced several government policies in dealing with higher rice prices. As output exceeds demand, Thailand does not need to stop exports like India and Vietnam, but it is still busy with moves to alleviate the heavier burden from surging rice prices.

On the provincial scale, local administrations are also busy with their own problems. The problem in Rayong is unique: low fruit prices, particularly in April and May when a large volume of fruits come onto the market.

A special team has been dispatched to stop the import of durians from other provinces, in a bid to shore up Rayong durian prices.

Hmm, it would be interesting if rice-producing provinces were to suffer from a climate change. Would they be able to stop the export of rice to other provinces?

Achara Deboonme

achara_d@nationgroup.com

The Nation