Across Thailand, maize farmers are taking to the streets, voicing their anger over collapsing crop prices and the influx of cheaper, genetically modified (GMO) maize from the United States. From the northern hills of Chiang Rai to the central plains of Nakhon Sawan and Phetchabun, hundreds of farmers have rallied, demanding government action to protect their livelihoods. With prices plummeting to unsustainable levels, many say they can no longer cover basic costs, pointing to a recent trade deal with the US as the root of their struggles.
A Growing Crisis in Thailand’s Maize Sector
Hundreds of farmers from Mae Yao, Doi Hang, and Mae Khao Tom in Chiang Rai gathered outside the provincial hall, brandishing signs reading “No GMO Maize” and “Save Thai Farmers.” Similar scenes unfolded in Nakhon Sawan and Phetchabun, where protesters echoed a shared frustration over maize prices that have fallen to 4.70-4.80 Thai Baht per kilogram (~US$0.13-0.14), down from 7 Baht (~US$0.20) just two years ago. After accounting for labor and supplies, growers like Maiya Chermuen are left with a mere 3 Baht (~US$0.08) per kilo—far below what is needed to sustain their farms.
Maiya, a farmer from Chiang Rai, shared the personal toll of the crisis with local media. “The prices have never been this low in my memory” she said on August 18, 2025. “I can’t pay anyone to help. I have to do every job myself just to try to save money but still fall short.” Her story resonates with many in the region, where feed factories have slashed prices or halted purchases from local sources altogether, often opting for cheaper US imports. 
The impact extends beyond individual farmers. In Nakhon Sawan, growers highlighted the ripple effects on local economies, with businesses such as seed suppliers and transport services also suffering. One farmer noted that the downturn affects entire communities, underscoring the interconnected nature of rural livelihoods.
US GMO Imports Fuel Tensions
The farmers’ grievances are tied to a trade policy shift earlier this year. In April 2025, the Thai government reduced import tariffs on US corn to lower feed costs for livestock producers, following a temporary suspension of higher US tariffs. This move, supported by the Feed Mill Association—representing major feed producers—aims to balance Thailand’s significant trade surplus with the US, valued at $35.4 billion annually. The association has advocated for importing over $1.1 billion worth of US corn each year, part of a broader $2.8 billion commitment to American agricultural goods, including soybean meal and ethanol by-products.
While the policy promises to cut livestock feed costs by up to 8%, it has deepened the plight of local maize farmers. Thailand consumes around 9 million metric tons of corn annually, importing nearly half of that volume. US corn, priced at approximately $254 per ton, undercuts imports from neighboring countries like Myanmar and Laos, as well as domestic production. The National Farmers Council has warned that this could mirror the collapse of Thailand’s soybean sector, where cheap imports once decimated local growers.
Termsak Booncheun, head of the Nakhon Ratchasima Farmers Council, criticized the policy on June 9, 2025, suggesting it prioritizes lower prices and US trade interests over Thai farmers. He urged the Department of Internal Trade to investigate whether feed mills have colluded to suppress local prices since a reported halt in purchases on that date.
Demands for Fair Pricing and Dialogue
Protesters across the affected regions have outlined clear demands. In Chiang Rai, farmers submitted a letter to provincial officials, requesting a minimum price of 7 Baht per kilogram for maize at 30% moisture content and public discussions involving government, feed companies, and farmer representatives. Deputy Governor Prasong La-aon received the letter and pledged to forward it to the relevant ministries. However, skepticism lingers among the farmers. Somkhit Phinyo, a protest leader, cautioned that they would return if no action is taken.
In Phetchabun, the demonstrations carried a sharper edge. On the same day, hundreds of farmers warned of escalating actions if their demands were unmet by the following Friday. They called for compensation of 7.50 Baht (~US$0.21) per kilogram for the next three years to offset losses from US imports, citing the impact on over 450,000 farming families. Previous promises from the Feed Mill Association to pay 9.80 Baht (~US$0.27) per kilo for corn with 14.5% moisture have fallen through, with current offers below 9 Baht (~US$0.25) and restrictive quotas in place.
Additional proposals include short-term relief payments based on registered farm sizes and a mandate for feed mills to prioritize local purchases. Farmers also seek a reevaluation of import policies, arguing they were not consulted on the three-million-tonne GMO corn deal with the US, leaving them vulnerable to market shifts.
Trade Ties and Economic Balancing Act
Thailand’s maize crisis unfolds against the backdrop of strengthening trade relations with the United States, its largest export market. Last year, Thailand recorded an $18.3 billion trade surplus with the US, prompting negotiations to avoid punitive import tariffs. The government’s consideration of further tariff reductions on US agricultural products could make these imports even more competitive, potentially saving costs for feed producers but further threatening local growers.
The economic rationale for embracing US imports is clear for some stakeholders. Cheaper corn benefits Thailand’s livestock industry, a key component of its agricultural economy. However, the lack of consultation with farmers has fueled perceptions of neglect. Many growers feel sidelined in decisions that directly impact their survival, a sentiment that has driven the recent wave of protests.
The National Farmers Council expressed strong opposition to the Thai government’s April 2025 decision to reduce tariffs on US GMO maize, but there is no direct evidence that confirms whether the Council was surprised by the move. The decision was part of negotiations to address Thailand’s $35.4 billion trade surplus with the US, prompted by President Trump’s threats of a 36% tariff on Thai goods, as reported by Nation Thailand on August 19, 2025. The lack of consultation with farmers was a key grievance, with the Council highlighting that growers were not informed of the three-million-tonne maize import deal before its finalization, leading to widespread protests in Chiang Rai, Nakhon Sawan, and Phetchabun.
On June 9, 2025, the Feed Mill Association’s announcement of an immediate halt to corn purchases intensified tensions, with farmer representatives, including Termsak Booncheun, President of the Nakhon Ratchasima Farmers Council, denouncing it as a deliberate attempt to depress local maize prices and facilitate US GMO imports. Booncheun told Thansettakij, “It’s like a coordinated halt to purchases” suggesting it was a strategic move to clear the path for US corn, as noted in a June 2025 Facebook post by The Nation Thailand. The Council called for the Department of Internal Trade to investigate possible collusion, warning that the halt could leave farmers unable to sell their produce.
Environmental and Long-Term Concerns
Beyond immediate financial woes, farmers and advocacy groups like the National Farmers Council have raised alarms over the environmental risks of GMO maize. They point to potential issues such as increased herbicide use, pest resistance, and the spread of diseases to local crops. Critics argue that US corn varieties, developed for cooler climates, may not be suited to Thailand’s tropical conditions, yet their lower cost continues to disrupt the domestic market.
The Ministry of Commerce has defended the safety of GMO imports, referencing years of soybean imports as evidence of effective oversight. Still, distrust persists among farmers who fear long-term damage to both their land and their livelihoods. Calls for stricter border controls to curb illegal maize shipments have been met with limited action, further frustrating those on the front lines of the crisis.
A Path Forward?
As Thailand navigates its evolving relationship with the US, the maize farmers’ struggle underscores a broader tension between international trade commitments and domestic rural welfare. With more protests planned and official inquiries on the horizon, the government faces mounting pressure to deliver tangible solutions. Increased border inspections and promises of dialogue are steps in the right direction, but farmers remain unconvinced without concrete policy changes.
For individuals like Maiya Chermuen, the fight is deeply personal. Her plea encapsulates the desperation felt by many: “We just want a fair price so we can keep farming. This is our life.” As the government weighs the benefits of trade surpluses against the needs of its agricultural heartland, the resolution of this crisis will likely shape Thailand’s rural economy for years to come. Whether authorities can strike a balance that protects local farmers while maintaining global trade ties remains an open question.
