Bangkok: Leaders of the People’s Network from 19 provinces affected by the black-chinned tilapia outbreak are preparing to escalate their demands for a solution, as the government has not accepted their letter of inquiry. They plan to return after the no-confidence debate and maintain their stance until a concrete resolution is achieved.
According to Thai News Agency, Thira Wongcharoen, former vice chairman of the National Farmers Council and former assistant minister of agriculture and cooperatives, stated that the network is urging the government to address the worsening tilapia outbreak. Despite claims by the Department of Fisheries that the situation is improving, a fact-finding committee reported no evidence to trace the outbreak’s origin. This stance is seen as favoring business operators linked to the outbreak and aligns with government interests, rather than addressing the issue seriously. The government’s refusal to establish an independent investigative committee has further fueled the issue.
The proposed independent monitoring organization is suggested to include representatives from four sectors: government officials appointed by relevant ministers; the Department of Fisheries; farmer representatives from the affected provinces, ensuring they outnumber governmental agencies for accurate data collection; and independent academics, along with civil society experts in the environment, to evaluate long-term impacts.
Thira warned that if there is no progress after the prime minister’s no-confidence debate, the farmer group might stage a rally to pressure the government. Urgent action is deemed necessary to prevent further environmental and natural resource damage. Indifference from the government could lead to significant financial compensation needs, affecting public funds and ultimately threatening Thailand’s food security.
