Farmers watch talks closely

       Leaders of the Assembly of the Poor say they will rally their members and set up camp in Bangkok to press their demands if nothing comes of planned talks with the government.
       Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has promised to renew talks aimed at solving members of the assembly's problems within the next two weeks.
       Mr Abhisit made the promise on Saturday at the assembly's northeastern headquarters in Phibun Mangsahan district here, where he handed over a cheque for 1.2 million baht to Hai Khanjantha.
       Mrs Hai, an assembly member, fought for 32 years for compensation for her land submerged as part of the Huay La Ha reservoir at tambon Na Tan.
       Land issues make up the bulk of the assembly's demands: rights for landless farmers, security for the poor being forced from their traditional forest homes and compensation for those affected by major government projects.
       "If there is no progress at the talks,we will move from here to set up makeshift tents at Government House to pressure the government to pay serious attention to our problems," said Somkiat Phonphai, a founding member of the assembly.
       The group will discuss the planned demonstration tomorrow.
       Mr Somkiat said the protest was probably "the only way out" to make the government pay attention to villagers'problems and put them in the public spotlight.
       He said each village had its own budget to support the rally and the assembly would also receive donations from supporters. The demonstration would not involve politics, he said.
       Another Assembly of the Poor leader,Paijit Sirarak, said the group had been calling for justice from successive governments since 1996.
       Many problems that should have been solved have been ignored, such as helping those affected by the Pak Moon dam in Khong Chiam district in Ubon Ratchathani.
       "The Democrat-led government should no longer leave other problems unresolved," Mr Paijit said.
       "The case of Grandma Hai is just one problem among many which the government has yet to address."
       Assembly members are worried about the prime minister's sincerity and seriousness in solving their problems.
       "After the prime minister left, we thought very hard about it because we're afraid that we will be used as a political tool of politicians to seek votes," said Boonmee Khamruang, a member of the assembly.