Registration opens for farmers, affected by rescue mission

CHIANG RAI, July 4 (TNA) – Local authorities has opened registration for farmers in three districts of Chiang Rai, whose paddy fields have been flooded by water, drained from the Tham Luang cave. As water pumping continues to drain water as much as possible from the Tham Luang cave, where the young football have been trapped inside, the Royal Irrigation Department is working to pump water out of the areas, surrounding the cave into the waterway. The Department of Agricultural Extension conducted an initial survey and found 100 farmers or about eight per cent of farmers in Mae Sai district, who registered to grow rice and crop in this cultivation season. About 1,400 rai (560 acres) of farmlands have been impacted. If the water recedes very soon, the rice paddies will not be damaged. If the damage occurs, farmers will be compensated for about 1,100 baht per rai. (TNA)