Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2003. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
Bangkok Post - September 13, 2003
Kultida Samabuddhi
"Farmer groups and labour unions will meet at the Port Authority of Thailand to show support for our counterparts in Cancun," said Janya Yimprasert, of Thai Labour Campaign. "Developing nations, including Thailand, want the agricultural sector to be exempted from WTO regulations."
At least six local activists were among more than 20,000 protesters in Cancun to demand the United States, the European Union and Japan reduce trade subsidies and lower the price of pharmaceutical products.
Farmer representative Veerapon Sopa delivered a speech at the demonstration site on Thursday condemning WTO director-general Supachai Panitchpakdi for allegedly failing to protect farmers in Asia.
"Mr Supachai should be ousted. He is Thai, but he does nothing to help Asian farmers," he was quoted as saying. "He has failed to prevent rich countries from dumping farm products in the world market, and is unable to convince the EU, US and Japan to scrap farm subsidies."
Jacques-shai Chomthongdi, of the Focus on the Global South, yesterday lauded an announcement by Commerce Minister Adisai Bhodaramik at the WTO meeting, which revealed the government would join a group of 21 developing nations pressing rich countries to reduce farm subsidies.
The alliance, including China, India and Brazil, claimed current subsidies distorted prices and condemned millions of farmers to poverty.
"Joining the group will strengthen Thailand's role in trade negotiations with developed countries, particularly the EU, US and Japan," he said. "The decision to join is to be applauded."
Agriculture official Ampon Kittiampon said joining the group would send a message the country was no longer willing to allow the US to distort prices. "The government will have more power in protecting the farm sector by joining the group of 21 developing nations hit by US and EU farm subsidies," he said.
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