Opposition to EV Combine Harvesters in Khon Kaen

MGR Online•Society•22m ago

Reader Briefing

Combine harvester operators and farmers in Khon Kaen oppose the government's plan to procure EV combine harvesters, citing technical limitations in muddy terrain.

•Suriya Juangroongruangkit plans to procure approximately 500 electric tractors and combine harvesters with an 8 billion baht loan.
•Kitti Khamba, a combine harvester operator in Khon Kaen, argues that EV machines lack the power to operate in muddy rice fields compared to internal combustion engines.
•Operators suggest reducing diesel fuel prices as a more direct way to lower harvesting costs for farmers.

Overview

•Suriya Juangroongruangkit plans to provide approximately 500 electric tractors and combine harvesters for free to farmers using a loan of 8 billion baht.
•The cost of the proposed electric machinery is approximately 16 million baht per unit.
•Kitti Khamba states that EV combine harvesters are not suitable for Thailand because they cannot handle muddy field conditions as well as internal combustion engines.
•Kitti Khamba suggests that reducing diesel prices would directly lower harvesting costs since combine harvesters use diesel engines.
•For the 2026 main rice season, some operators plan to increase harvesting fees from 700 baht to 800 baht per rai due to high fuel prices.
•Farmers request an increase in the purchase price of main season paddy rice to ensure investment worthiness.

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Key Entities

Person

Suriya Juangroongruangkit(สุริยะ จึงรุ่งเรืองกิจ)ℹ️

The Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives who plans to procure electric tractors and combine harvesters.

Kitti Khamba(กิตติ คำบา)

A 47-year-old combine harvester operator in Khon Kaen province.

Organization

Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives(กระทรวงเกษตรและสหกรณ์)

The ministry led by Suriya Juangroongruangkit responsible for the electric machinery procurement plan.

Place

Khon Kaen(ขอนแก่น)ℹ️

The province where the combine harvester operator and opposing farmers are located.