Roi Et, Isaan tobacco farmers call on the “Minister of Defense” to help order all military forces to suppress illegal cigarettes along the border, both land and sea. After being found for sale scattered around in many provinces in tobacco growing areas in the Northeast.
Representative of the Northeastern Turkish Tobacco Farmers Trade Association has submitted a letter to Mr. Suthin Khlangsaeng, Minister of Defense To call for orders to all military forces to jointly suppress. and strictly arrest illegal cigarettes along the border, both by land and sea. especially by land in the eastern region and by sea in the south It is an important channel for smuggling illegal cigarettes from neighboring countries into Thailand. which takes up almost one-quarter of the current tobacco market share
Mr. San Hansupho, a representative of Isaan tobacco farmers, said that Mr. Suthin is an MP who has helped tobacco farmers in the Isaan region for a long time, even before he took the position of minister. He and fellow tobacc
o farmers hope that Mr. Suthin will continue to help tobacco farmers in the Northeast. Because right now the tobacco industry is very weak. from the serious problem of illegal cigarettes It affects the livelihood of tobacco farmers who rely on planting quotas from the Tobacco Authority of Thailand. But when legal cigarettes cannot compete with illegal cigarettes The quota was not increased. Growing tobacco in rotation with other crops also takes away the income that should be gained during this period. This is usually used as a reserve fund for your child’s education during the upcoming semester. He and the members of the association therefore rely on the Minister of Defense. Please help order this matter to the various armies. for more efficient work He also talked with Ms. Chayapa Sinthuprai, Roi Et MP, Pheu Thai Party, and made promises to tobacco farmers. that it will expedite action to help suppress the issue of illegal cigarettes The tobacco farmers’ book will also be taken to study and explain to the P
rime Minister on the next occasion.
‘In the past, there have been continuous arrests of illegal cigarettes by the government sector. But tobacco farmers think that If there are arrests since the importation period along the natural borders, both by land and sea, which are areas under the supervision of the military It will help reduce the spread of illegal cigarettes in the country. Because once you cross the border, it is not difficult at all to distribute these illegal products to various places. Through postal parcels or land transport,’ Mr. San said.
Mr. San also stated that at present in the northeastern region there are approximately 15,000 households of tobacco farmers in 8 provinces, namely Roi Et, Maha Sarakham, Kalasin, Nakhon Phanom, Sakon Nakhon, Sisaket, Ubon Ratchathani and Nong Khai, who mainly grow Turkish tobacco. The growing season starts at the beginning of the month. November until April, growing Turkish tobacco will help generate an average income of 16,000 baht per rai for tobacco farm
ers, giving tobacco farmers a guarantee of a stable and sufficient income during the dry season. And the money can be used to invest in rotating agriculture for other crops in the next rainy season, including enough for the family’s livelihood.
Source: Thai News Agency