Satun shrimp farmers appeal for help as Malaysia bans Thai shrimp imports

Matichon•Society•4d ago

Reader Briefing

Satun shrimp farmers are facing financial ruin due to escalating costs and Malaysia's ban on Thai shrimp, prompting an urgent appeal for government intervention.

•Shrimp farmers in Satun province are protesting escalating costs and the negative impact of Malaysia's ban on Thai shrimp imports.
•Over 30 farmers submitted an urgent letter to provincial and national authorities, demanding solutions to the crisis.
•The ban has closed export channels to Malaysia, leading to a surplus of shrimp in the local market and unfair low buying prices from middlemen.
•Farmers are proposing short-term measures including domestic consumption promotion and price compensation, and long-term structural changes like import tax reduction and market diversification.

Overview

•Over 30 members of the Satun Shrimp Farmers Club gathered at the Satun Provincial Commerce Office on the morning of June 4.
•Farmers submitted an urgent letter to the Minister of Commerce, Director-General of the Department of Fisheries, and the Governor of Satun.
•Malaysia's announcement to suspend shrimp imports from Thailand has severely impacted Satun shrimp farmers.
•The closure of the border channel to Malaysia has resulted in a large volume of shrimp being held up, causing oversupply and market saturation.
•Local middlemen are exploiting the situation by buying shrimp at prices below production cost, while end consumers still face high prices.
•Rising costs for diesel fuel and electricity for pond aeration are further straining shrimp farmers.
•Farmers propose short-term measures including promoting domestic shrimp consumption and providing price compensation of 20 baht per kilogram.
•Long-term proposals include reducing import taxes on animal feed, negotiating new domestic and international markets, and improving solar cell policies for shrimp ponds to reduce electricity costs.

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Source: Matichon (Original)

Key Quotes

Farmer

"Lang-ngu, Thung Wa, Tha Phae, Mueang Satun, farmers are all hit. Now with Malaysia closing the border, we're drowning. Diesel costs, electricity for pond aeration, are skyrocketing, while shrimp prices plummet daily. If the governor and commerce minister don't quickly help us find new markets, Satun farmers will be bankrupt."

ละงู ทุ่งหว้า ท่าแพ เมืองสตูล เกษตรกรโดนกันถ้วนหน้า ตอนนี้วิกฤตมาเลเซียปิดด่านทำเรากระอัก ค่าน้ำมันดีเซล ค่าไฟฟ้าที่ต้องใช้ตีน้ำในบ่อพุ่งไม่หยุด สวนทางกับราคากุ้งที่ดิ่งลงทุกวัน ถ้าผู้ว่าฯ และพาณิชย์จังหวัดไม่รีบยื่นมือมาช่วยจับคู่ตลาดใหม่ เกษตรกรสตูลล้มละลายยกแผงแน่

Key Entities

Organization

Satun Shrimp Farmers(คนเลี้ยงกุ้งสตูล)

Group of shrimp farmers in Satun province protesting economic hardship.

Satun Provincial Commerce Office(สำนักงานพาณิชย์จังหวัดสตูล)

The provincial office where farmers submitted their petition.

Satun Shrimp Farmers Club(ชมรมผู้เลี้ยงกุ้งสตูล)

Association representing shrimp farmers in Satun province.

Provincial Chamber of Commerce(หอการค้าจังหวัด)

Local business organization that farmers want to involve in market development.

Place

Malaysia(มาเลเซีย)ℹ️

Country that has banned the import of Thai shrimp.

Satun Province(จังหวัดสตูล)ℹ️

The province where shrimp farmers are facing economic difficulties.

Person

Mr. Chaovalit Saengchai(นายเชาวลิต แสงฉาย)

President of the Satun Shrimp Farmers Club.

Minister of Commerce(รัฐมนตรีว่าการกระทรวงพาณิชย์)

Government minister responsible for trade, to whom the farmers' petition was directed.

Director-General of the Department of Fisheries(อธิบดีกรมประมง)

Head of the government department responsible for fisheries, a recipient of the farmers' plea.

Governor of Satun Province(ผู้ว่าราชการจังหวัดสตูล)

The provincial chief executive, a recipient of the farmers' petition.

Law

Domestic Shrimp Consumption Promotion Campaign Project(โครงการส่งเสริมการรณรงค์บริโภคกุ้งในประเทศ)

Proposed initiative to boost domestic demand for shrimp.