1970s peasant revolts in Thailand

Thailand witnessed several uprisings by farmers from several central Thai provinces in the mid-1970s. Thailand transiting into a democratic government from nearly forty years of dictatorship was besieged by revolutions by several segments of the population. Farmers were one of several politicized groups that rioted on the streets. They implored for the Thai Prime Minister to reduce their debt and to ensure for a fair price for rice. These appeals were eventually ignored; with the Prime Minister refusing to meet the farmers. In their desperation, the farmers tried to enact change by themselves. What followed in the wake of 14 October 1973 movement was mass protests by these farmers and their allies such as students and the professional classes whom challenged the ruling elite to improve the lives of these farmers.

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Background

How easy to thresh from these stalks a stream of grain. Who but the farmer knows all the hardships involved? Drops of sweat, who cares to count how many, But drop by drop I can count every one of my worries. How many bulging sinews of mine, Tear up from the earth what you put in your mouth? "Jit Phumisak"

Rice fields in Chiang Mai Province

The main issue in contemporary Thai society concerns rural poverty and regional underdevelopment, which witnessed a sharp growth of its cities and along with it, a growing urban middle class which prospered tremendously. Comprising up to 78 percent of Thailand’s total labour the peasants are thus the largest occupational group in Thailand, making them literally the backbone of the nation. Agriculture output which was mainly rice, accounted for nearly 30% of Thailand's Gross Domestic Product. However the producers of these commodities were not among the principal beneficiaries.These farmers depended on rice sales to survive. To better protect themselves, they organised themselves into a national level coalition as a group of rural farmers against exploitative market conditions and their attempts to defend their source of income, was systematically frustrated by the government authorities whom were in collusion with those whom had vested interests.

In the 1970s a Thai Farmer’s average per capita income was only $49, but however the average national per capita income was $125 and that of urban residents was $428. Thailand in the 1970s was not suffering from issues such as population pressures. The productivity of its soil and external environment along with an identical political culture, based on the tenets of respect and love for a hereditary monarchy had the effect of creating a political passivity amongst Thailand’s rural population.

However several policy changes enacted by the government had an adverse effect in rural Thailand, particularly during the period of open politics from 1973-1976. The combination of high population growth along with the increasing scarcity of arable land led to increasing political and social conflicts. Invariably, tenancy and debt amounts increased amongst the farmers especially in the areas in the North and Central plains. Though there was increased interaction amongst the farmers and government officials due to roads being built and the government being present in the countryside, the nature of these interactions were always negative. The farmers were often distrustful and over a period of time, were finally determined to undertake forceful political action. In an era of open politics, there were instances of petitions against this land rents, farmer demonstrations and the emergence of an effective Farmer Federation of Thailand which frequently clashed with the ruling elite in its attempt to provide a better life for the Thai farmers.

Government policies

See also: Rice in Thailand

Rice farmers transplanting rice out in to the paddy, Chaiyaphum Province, Thailand

Rice is an important economic and cultural factor in Thailand. Today it occupies approximately 55% of Thailand's arable land and is the staple diet food across all income bracket. Thailand invested considerably in agricultural development such as in infrastructure, agriculture research and road networks. The use of technology along with advanced knowledge in rice strains, fertilisers along with the government policies increased rice production. From the 1950s to 1970’s rice production per unit of land increased by almost 50 percent. The government sought to accelerate growth in the urban areas one of its methods was to tax the rice industry and use the profits to fund the much needed projects in the larger cities. The government export tax on rice, known as the “rice premium”. This increased tax revenue while at the same time decreased the price of rice domestically. The government in enacting its policy, shifted from protecting the farmers and left the market industry to market forces which determined its prices and sought profit maximizing measures at all costs. Though technology has greatly improved the production of rice, it has not translated into an outright success for the peasants. Escalating prices left many farmers unable to hold on to their lands and subsequently they had to become tenants to earn a living. Despite the uncertainty in the Thai economy, it was of no consequences to the government. Tax revenues were collected irrespective if it was a bad year which drove the farmers to even thinner margins. The introduction of new technology meant the entrance prices of rice farming were much higher leaving most of the peasant farmers unable to own their land outright. The larger farmers due to their greater financial muscle were able to meet the rising costs of these new technologies and all the other items such as fertiliser, rice strains and machinery. The average farmer had to endure a living as a manual labourer on a farm earning barely enough to sustain himself .