Interest-free period sought for Thai farmers.

Byline: Wichit Chantanusornsiri

Nov. 16--Some 180,000 farmers nationwide will be offered an eight-year grace period on interest payments on their collective debts worth a total of 8.12 billion baht, according to Varathep Ratanakorn, a deputy finance minister.

The cabinet will consider the plan today at a mobile meeting in Ubon Ratchathani.

Mr Varathep said the Finance Ministry had already approved the plan as a means of restructuring debt and overhauling production methods for indebted farmers.

The Agriculture Ministry will propose that 180,000 farmers be covered under the plan, with payments on their current debt totalling 8.12 billion …