Thai Coconut Farmers to Protest Government Support Measures

Thansettakij•Economy•6d ago

Reader Briefing

Coconut farmers are preparing to protest in Bangkok over falling prices and allegations of government corruption and policy failure.

•Pongsak Butrak and the Coconut Growers Network claim government support for 10 million coconuts is insufficient to address a 200 million coconut surplus.
•Farmers allege a 20 million baht budget from the Farmers Assistance Committee (Kachoko) may be misused as "kickbacks" to large operators.
•Coconut growers plan to petition the Food and Drug Administration, Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, and Ministry of Commerce.

•The Ministry of Commerce announced it would purchase 10 million coconuts at 10 baht per fruit, but the Coconut Growers Network reports over 200 million coconuts are stalled in the system nationwide.
•Pongsak Butrak claims the 10 baht purchase price only equals the production cost, while actual market prices have dropped to 5–6 baht per fruit.
•The Coconut Growers Network warns that the import of coconut milk outside WTO frameworks and its rebranding as Thai products risks destroying the international reputation of Thai coconut brands.
•Coconut prices decreased because the government allowed continuous imports of coconuts and products despite warnings of El Nino drought in 2024 and stock accumulation in 2025.
•Export to the European Union has stagnated because the "Monkey Free Plus" certification lacks credibility due to the government's failure to address macaque labor allegations.
•The Coconut Growers Network is mobilizing representatives and a protest group in 5–6 buses to travel to Bangkok.
•The Coconut Growers Network intends to demand the Food and Drug Administration create regulations specifying the origin of raw materials for boxed coconut milk.

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Pongsak Butrak(พงษ์ศักดิ์ บุตรรักษ์)

Leader and coordinator of the Coconut Growers Network in Prachuap Khiri Khan province.

Coconut Growers Network(เครือข่ายเกษตรกรผู้ปลูกมะพร้าว)

A network of coconut farmers protesting government price support measures and import policies.

Ministry of Commerce(กระทรวงพาณิชย์)ℹ️

The government body implementing coconut purchase measures to support prices.

Farmers Assistance Committee (Kachoko)(คณะกรรมการช่วยเหลือเกษตรกร (คชก.))

The body responsible for a 20 million baht budget intended to support coconut purchases.

European Union (EU)(สหภาพยุโรป (EU))

A trading partner where Thai coconut exports have stalled due to labor concerns.

Food and Drug Administration (FDA)(สำนักงานคณะกรรมการอาหารและยา (อย.))

The agency requested to regulate the origin of coconut milk ingredients.

Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives(กระทรวงเกษตรและสหกรณ์)

The agency requested to update the Coconut Product Management Subcommittee and the National Coconut Board.

The international body whose framework is allegedly being bypassed by coconut milk imports.

Prachuap Khiri Khan(ประจวบคีรีขันธ์)ℹ️

A province where coconut farmers and stalled produce are located.

Bangkok(กรุงเทพฯ)ℹ️

The destination for the farmers' planned protest and petition delivery.

Monkey Free Plus

A government-promoted certification standard for coconut farms that do not use monkeys.