"""15 NOVEMBER 2012 - PATHUM THANI, PATHUM THANI, THAILAND: Workers spray pesticides on a field of rice near Pathum Thani. The Thai government under Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has launched an expansive price support """"scheme"""" for rice farmers. The government is buying rice from farmers and warehousing it until world rice prices increase. Rice farmers, the backbone of rural Thailand, like the plan, but exporters do not because they are afraid Thailand is losing its position as the world's #1 rice exporter to Vietnam, which has significantly improved the quality and quantity of its rice. India is also exporting more and more of its rice. The stockpiling of rice is also leading to a shortage of suitable warehouse space. The Prime Minister and her government face a censure debate and possible no confidence vote later this month that could end the scheme or bring down the government.    PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ"""
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