More than 1,000 farmers blocked main roads in this northern province yesterday in protest against the falling price of their crop.

According to the protesters, middlemen had now agreed to buy the unmilled rice at just Bt9,600 per tonne.

Last year, the price was at Bt10,000 per tonne.

"The cost of growing rice has risen. How can our crop get less money than before? Rice can be exported," Banyat Thongdeenok, 54, said.

He was among the protesters demanding that Chiang Rai Governor Traisit Limsom-boonthong help raise the issue with Commerce Minister Mingkwan Sangsuwan or relevant officials.

Traisit said he had already relayed the protesters' message to the Commerce Ministry.

"We have also assigned officials to check with rice mill owners and middlemen to ensure that the purchase of unmilled rice is of good standard," Traisit said.