The Thai military summoned leaders of southern rubber farmers calling for the government to subsidise rubber price for an attitude adjustment while the junta leader said that no such subsidy would be provided.
According to Komchadluek News, military officers at 10 am on Monday, 11 January 2015, summoned 50 key leaders of the southern rubber farmers for an attitude adjustment session at Viphavadee Rangsit Military Base in the southern province of Surat Thani.
The rubber farmer leaders were summoned ahead of their regional planned gatherings to demand the military government to subsidise the price of rubber at 60 baht per kilogramme (about 1.65 USD), about 26 baht above the current market price of a kilogramme of rubber sheets at Songkhla Market.
During the session led by Col Somkiet Ratanacharoenpornchai, the officer urged the rubber farmers not to go on strike to pressure the government, saying that the authorities are currently trying the solve the problem the best they can.
The military also invited an expert on rubber at the discussion to explain about the situation of global and regional rubber market to the rubber farmer leaders.
The expert advised the rubber farmers to grow additional crops in rubber plantations to diversify their venture.
On the same day, Thai News Agency reported that Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha, the junta leader and Prime Minister, said that the government will not be able to provide subsidy for rubber at 60 baht per kilogramme, but will buy rubbers at a price slightly higher from the market price.
“Where are we going to find money to lift [the price], answer! If you want me to lift [up the price] like this then go find me the money,” said the junta leader.
Earlier, Suthep Thaugsuban, the leader of the anti-election protest, People’s Democratic Anti-Election Committee (PDRC), suggested that the government should concede to the rubber farmers’ demand to provide rubber subsidy at 60 baht per kilogramme. However, he said that the farmers should have patience and should not go on strike.
Farmers in many regions of Thailand, especially in the South, a region known traditionally for rubber produce, and other ASEAN countries have increased rubber production triggered by a short-lived rubber boom in 2011 when the price of rubber was above 100 baht per kilogramme.
Due to oversupply and cooling down of China’s economic growth, the demand for the natural rubber has dwindled globally.
