Latest: Suvarnabhumi trip cancelled. Farmers to be paid next week.

Reports have just come in that rice farmers have agreed to turn around their convoy and go home after being assured they will receive their money next week. Thus, they will not be "visit" Suvarnabhumi airport.

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We'll be following this story all day with updates as events occur.

The convoy, led by rice farmers from Uthai Thai, prepares to make the long, slow journey home. THITI WANNAMONTHA

For the farmers in these vehicles, it's going to be a long, slow trip. THITI WANNAMONTHA

11:25

Reports have just  come in the farm convoy leaders have talked with the prime minister who promised them that they would be paid next week. The farmers have therefore agreed not to proceed to Suvarnabhumi airport. They have threatened to return, however, if the promise is not kept.

Convoy leader Chada Thaiset, a former Chartthaipattana Party MP for Uthai Thani, tells farmers the government will start paying them next week and will finish within six weeks. THITI WANNAMONTHA

After speaking with caretaker prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra, convoy leader Chada Thaiset said the money would come from this year's budget, but he could not give details as this was the responsibility of government leaders. He then asked for comments from the farmers. Many expressed doubts as government promises had been broken earlier, but when Mr Chada promised to lead another convoy to Suvarnbhumi if the money was not paid, most agreed to go back home. One group from Lop Buri said they would instead to the Commerce Ministry where another group of farmers has been camping out in protest.

Earlier story here:

Unpaid farmers: Destination Suvarnabhumi?

A farmer catches some sleep at the farmer convoy's overnight camp in Ayutthaya’s Bang Pa-in district. Farmers are complaining of mosquitoes and unexpectedly chilly nights. PATTANAPONG HIRUNARD

This morning the focus is on the long rice farmers' convoy that has made its way from Uthai Thani  province to Ayutthaya’s Bang Pa-in district.  Their destination, leaders say, is Suvarnabhumi Airport in Samut Prakan – unless the government meets their demand to clarify exactly when they will be paid for their rice pledged under the rice-pledging scheme.

At the moment, the Suvarnabhumi trip is temporarily on hold as the farmers have given the government until noon to make its clarification.

Convoy leader Chada Thaiset, a former Chartthaipattana Party MP for Uthai Thani, said he talked with caretaker prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra yesterday and she said she would consider their demand urgently. 

The caravan has grown rapidly over the past two days and it is now reported to consist of 700 farm vehicles carrying about 5,000 farmers, mainly from Uthai Thani province, as well as from Chai Nat, Nakhon Sawan and Sing Buri provinces. This morning, it is said to stretch for three kilomteres.

The convoy now stretches for three kilometres as many farmers have joined the convoy during its journey. PATTANAPONG HIRUNARD

The farmers' plan to camp at the airport is a move to pressure the caretaker government into paying them their long-overdue money under the rice-pledging scheme.

Kamnan Manus Chamnanketkorn, tambon chief of Pradoo Yeun in Lom Sak district in Uthai Thani, said all farmers in eight districts in the province decided to travel to Suvarnabhumi airport, hoping to make their voices heard by the government.

He insisted the farmers have no intention of seizing the international airport, but admitted that passengers might have some difficulty getting there.

“We will absolutely not block the runways. But some of us might stay on the road to the airport.

“We have no intention of disturbing passengers or destroying the country’s image. But our problem is too tough to bear,” he said.

Story includes information from Post reporters.

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