THE We Volunteer protest guards, or WeVo, brought shrimp farmers from Nakhon Pathom province to sell over a tonne of fresh white shrimp at the Government House’s Gate One today (Dec. 26) so as to help them after the main shrimp market in Samut Sakhon province was shut recently with the new outbreak of Covid-19 having spread from there, Thai Rath newspaper reported.
Mr. Piyarat Chongthep, or Toto, WeVo’s leader, said the closure of the main shrimp market in Samut Sakhon led to these farmers not having an outlet for their produce amid the current scare which has led to people not daring to eat seafood, particularly shrimp.
He added that today’s action is also aimed at sending a message to the government led by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha to resolve this problem, because in shutting down the Samut Sakhon market an alternate trading area should be arranged.
More than 10 shrimp farmers had contacted WeVo to help them find a way to distribute their shrimp. This is because this product has to be sold on time as the shrimp can only live four hours after being taken out of the pond. The over 1,000 kilogrammes of shrimps was being sold at 170 baht a kg.
Meanwhile Pol. Col. Chatupon Phonpakdee, head of Dusit police station negotiated with the sales team beside the Government House pointing out that this spot is within 50-metre radius of the complex and asked for their cooperation in not spreading out onto the road.
The volunteer guards admitted that they were unable to ask for permission for this activity on time and were willing to pay the fine. They added that they needed two more hours to clear the stock.
Reporters at the scene said the shrimp sale was well organized with there being a screening point, social distancing maintained and hand sanitiser gel available. The area had also been demarcated with metal barriers and traffic cones.
They noticed that people were continuously flocking in to buy the shrimp.
CAPTION:
Brisk sale of shrimp next to the Government House gate today. Photos: Thai Rath
