Thread: Govt tries to sway rubber farmers to end protests

A senior government representative was sent to the South on Tuesday in a bid to defuse the conflict with rubber farmers, as the protest spread to Phunphin district in Surat Thani, where protesters parked buses across Highway 41, a main road to the southern region



On Tuesday, the cabinet also approved a 5.62 billion baht fund to subsidise rubber growers hit by sagging prices for smoked rubber sheet.
Thawat Boonfueng, the cabinet deputy secretary-general, was assigned by Deputy Prime Minister Kittiratt Na-Ranong to negotiate with leading farmers in Surat Thani and Nakhon Si Thammarat. They were to be asked to send their representatives to talks in Bangkok on Wednesday. The government said it would provide air transport.
The talks were to be at a hotel at the Government Complex and would be led by Mr Kittiratt and Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister Yukol Limlaemthong, in a bid to end the protests, which began on Aug 23.
"These talks show the government's sincerity in tackling this problem,'' Pol Maj Gen Thawat told FM100.5 news programme, before leaving for the two southern provinces.
But he made it clear that the government saw their demand for 120 baht per kilogramme for smoked rubber sheet as unrealistic. "The 120 baht demand is not possible," he said. Current prices are hovering around 80 baht.
He said he hoped the protesting farmers would soften their stance and agree to travel to Bangkok for the proposed talks.

Full story :

New road block in Surat Thani as rubber protest grows | Bangkok Post: news

I'm sure the market prices will bounce back.

Rubber protesters gather near airport





Farmers not impressed with govt Bt22-billion subsidy package

Protesting rubber farmers in Surat Thani yesterday blocked a main road after a government decision not to accept their demand for it to intervene in the price of raw rubber sheets, although the Cabinet had earlier in the day granted a Bt1,260-per-rai subsidy to them.

After blocking Route 41, a large number of them headed towards the airport, which was guarded by about 100 anti-riot police. They later walked past the airport and converged at a location not far away, as of press time yesterday evening.

The Bt22-billion budget cleared by the Cabinet yesterday will be spent on a Bt1,260 per-rai subsidy for those owning no more than 10 rai (1.6 hectares) of plantations each year, but their demand that the government buy rubber sheets from them at Bt100 to Bt120 per kilogram, up from the average current price of Bt78.13, was not met.

The farmers rallying in Surat Thani, the largest group of protesters, reacted quickly upon learning of the Cabinet decision reached in the afternoon. They immediately moved to block a key route to the South, while those holding parallel rallies in Nakhon Si Thammarat, where the second-largest protest is being held, and in Chumphon, Prachuap Khiri Khan, and Krabi are expected to follow suit.

According to Daily News, the group of people at the Surat Thani rally site who blocked Route 41 are those travelling from Songkhla's Thepha district, who arrived and started blocking the route. This prompted about 10,000 protesters also to join in the blockade, which resulted in heavy traffic congestion over 5 kilometres.

There are about 20,000 protesters gathering at five main rally sites in seven southern provinces, while about 500 rubber planters are converging on the eastern province of Rayong and blocking a main road. Rubber planters and tappers elsewhere, who are friendlier to the Pheu Thai-led government, had earlier called off their protests, or reduced the size of their rallies even before the Cabinet yesterday officially approved Bt22 billion for subsidy.

The protesters in Surat Thani had earlier promised not to blockade roads as a measure to pressure the government, but protest leaders said later that the promise would be kept only if the government successfully solved the problem.

Rubber farmers from Satun, Trang and Songkhla were travelling to join the rallies even before the Cabinet approval of the Bt22-billion subsidy. The prices of raw rubber sheets, as cited at various rallies, vary from Bt101 to Bt120 per kilo. Onstage statements promising not to block roads were made at several venues, if the government came up with measures that "would be accepted by most rubber farmers".

Police in Uttaradit in the lower North are on standby to handle a possible rally by local rubber growers who are converging along Route 11, although a network of growers in 17 northern provinces had unofficially announced an end to their planned protests.

A deputy secretary-general to the prime minister, Thawat Bunfueng, and senior officials will meet with representatives of rubber farmers today at two venues in Bangkok. Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has assigned Deputy Prime Minister Kittiratt Na-Ranong to head the government delegation.



Rubber protesters gather near airport - The Nation

Govt warned of airport seizures


The Nation September 5, 2013 1:00 am






Police ready to take strict action against those who cross the line, warns spokesman

Rubber growers in the South are threatening to lay siege to important places like airports and provincial halls if the government fails to answer their demand for a higher price for their produce.

Meanwhile, authorities have vowed strict law enforcement against protesters who cross the line.

"We will take legal action against protest leaders who are behind road and railway blockades," police spokesman Maj-General Piya Uthayo said yesterday.

He added that authorities would most certainly not allow anybody to block the entrance of airports.

"If the protest spirals into airport seizures, we will invoke Article 135/1 of the Criminal Code. The maximum punishment under this clause is death," he warned.

Piya said that in the face of threats from rubber farmers, police were now keeping a close eye on Surat Thani, Krabi and Trang airports.

"We are working with the Royal Thai Air Force in protecting these facilities," he said.

As of press time, about 2,000 farmers had gathered and were blocking a road about 500 metres from Surat Thani Airport. However, passengers were still able to get to the airport using another road.

Deputy Prime Minister Pracha Promnog, meanwhile, has called on the protesters to talk to the government, adding that even though the authorities could not increase the rubber price significantly, it would help by reducing their costs.

"The Cabinet approved cost-lowering measures on Tuesday," he said.

He also warned the protesters against seizing the airports, saying that relevant authorities might need to use force if the demonstrators go too far.

"We can't allow any airport seizures," he said.



Getting ready for the worst

About 200 police officers were deployed at Surat Thani Airport to ensure immediate response if protesting farmers decided to raid the airport's compound.

Manoon Upala, a protest leader in Surat Thani, said he would wait to hear what the National Rubber Policy Committee says today before planning his next move.

"If there's no satisfactory response, I will coordinate with other protest leaders to seize provincial halls in various provinces, and then we will negotiate with the government from these halls," he said.

In Nakhon Si Thammarat, rubber growers have blocked three intersections, while another major road was being blocked in Trang.

In Rayong, some 100 farmers blocked the road leading to the provincial hall yesterday but dispersed hours later.

Settha Pitudecha, a protest leader in Rayong, said the protest in his province had been brought to an end after farmers learned that their peers in Surat Thani had already submitted similar demands to the government.

"We share the same stance," he said, adding that Rayong-based rubber growers would hit the streets again if the government did not offer satisfactory assistance.

Over the past two years, the price of rubber has plunged drastically.

Initially, rubber growers in other regions also planned to stage massive protests this week but called it off after the government promised to lower their production costs.

Meanwhile, National Police Commissioner GeneralAdul Saengsingkaew has instructed police in affected provinces to press charges against protesters who block traffic, hurls stones or attack officials.

Govt warned of airport seizures - The Nation

Rubber protesters, govt in tense talks

The Nation September 5, 2013 1:00 am






Four groups of farmers keen to seek a negotiated solution to problem of prices

The ongoing protests by rubber farmers in several southern provinces have hit logistical networks and the tourism industry in several areas adjacent to the rally sites, halting bus services as well as the transport of frozen seafood products. The authorities are worried that protesters might seize airports in four provinces where they are rallying.

Senior officials held a tense negotiation with a group representing rubber farmers yesterday as part of government efforts to end the rallies. Both sides met at the government complex in northern Bangkok, after 20 people representing four groups of rubber farmers based in Nakhon Si Thammarat agreed to seek an end to the problem through talks. The farmers are demanding that the government intervene to raise the price of raw rubber sheets.

Other groups of protesters, including those based in Surat Thani where the largest protests are taking place, refused to join the meeting with the 20-member delegation, which was flown to Bangkok on a specially chartered flight.

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra held an urgent meeting with her three deputies at about 2pm at Government House yesterday, where they discussed the problems caused by the large-scale rallies. The talks with the protest delegation then began at 6pm, an hour later than scheduled, and continued behind closed doors into late evening, and beyond press time.

Fears that the protesters would seize Surat Thani Airport proved unfounded when they decided merely to camp out in its compound. However, the airports in Nakhon Si Thammarat, Krabi and Trang are still a subject of worry and authorities fear a repeat of the situation in 2008, when airports in Phuket, Krabi and Hat Yai were seized by yellow-shirt protesters.

So far, the disruption at Krabi Airport has caused 20 tourists to miss their flights, Chamnan Srisawas, chief of the Krabi tourism association said, as he called on protesters to stop blocking roads leading to the airport, especially the Tham Sua intersection.



In Ranong, 50 operators were forced to cancel the delivery of frozen seafood in 300 trucks due to the roadblocks.

Meanwhile, the Association of Domestic Travel (ADT) yesterday called on the government to quickly resolve this problem as it has already incurred up to Bt100 million in losses for the tourism industry, affecting both hoteliers and small and big tourist operations. ADT president Yutthachai Soonthronrattana-vate said an open letter would be issued to the government within four days detailing the damage done to the tourism sector if no progress is made.

The five bus routes running to and from Hat Yai to the four affected provinces have been put on hold until further notice, though private vans are still running and manage to avoid the roadblocks by using shortcuts. The 10 train services to and from Bangkok to the affected provinces have also been put on hold, which in turn has affected the postal service.

Deputy Transport Minister Prin Suvanadat said protesters had set up seven roadblocks, which affected Route 4 in the South and a section of Route 3 in Rayong. Commuters or motorists seeking information on alternate transport services or shortcuts can contact the following hotlines: 1356 for road safety; 1193 for highway police; 1586 for highways department service; and 1490 for the Transport Company.

A small group of protesters from Phatthalung were the latest to join the partial blockade of the road leading to Trang and more farmers are expected to join them from Trang itself.

Rubber protesters, govt in tense talks - The Nation

This is shaping up to be an unexpectedly nasty problem for the government and one that is not going to go away without the rubber farmers getting at least some of the money they want. Tourism to the south already taking a hit.

Rubber protest impacting South tourism revenue


BAMRUNG AMNATCHAROIENRIT
THE NATION September 5, 2013 1:00 am
THE RUBBER FARMERS' protest in Surat Thani is causing a loss of at least Bt10 million a day to the domestic tourism industry in the South.

"Sales of salted eggs as a flagship product of Chaiya in Surat Thani are an example. The business is being hit because of a drop in tourist numbers," Yutthachai Soonthronrattanavate, president of the Association of Domestic Travel, said yesterday.

Related businesses like restaurants, souvenir shops, local bus operators and vendors are also feeling the pinch. As a whole, the rally is making a psychological impact on the industry. The scene is tending to decimate tourist sentiment, he said.

Tourist destinations south of Surat Thani or islands such as Krabi and Phuket are also impacted because the flow of visitors to the area is obstructed due to blockades facing land transport.

The evidence is clear that foreign tourists in khao san in Bangkok are having a hard time. It is becoming inconvenient to travel to the South by bus. The bus they board gets delayed.

The government needs to find a solution very quickly or else the tourism industry would take a bigger hit. It is a key industry with liquidity to fuel the national economy.

If the government does not solve the problem soon, the association and tourism operators would submit an open letter to the prime minister, calling for the government to treat all industries equally, not just any single one. What the government does unfairly to industries has a domino impact on other industries, including tourism, he said.

He said he understood the hardship of rubber growers under current market conditions. Although their movement is giving the tourism industry a big headache, he could accept and share their suffering. However, they should stage their demonstrations in limited areas, not spread out to other locations, especially the airport, as that is the heart of tourism.

If the airport is closed or becomes enwrapped in the chaos, the whole tourism industry may be ruined. Then the country would need a long time to restore its image, he warned.

Clearly, what the government should do right now is to try to create a good atmosphere. Tourism feeds on sentiment, not just economic boost to enhance spending power. The country needs a peaceful environment to encourage travelling, he added.

Thanongsak Somwong, president of the Koh Samui Tourism Promotion Association, called on the government to solve the problem quickly, otherwise its impact would be big and wide, especially on Phuket, Trang and Krabi.

Rubber protest impacting South tourism revenue - The Nation

Lots and lots tear gas is cheap and would sure fook up their day, and the irony of using rubber bullets on them would be amusing. This place defies belief sometimes.

Originally Posted by BobR

Lots and lots tear gas is cheap and would sure fook up their day, and the irony of using rubber bullets on them would be amusing. This place defies belief sometimes.

Yes, having the right to protest and having the get up and go, to protest, wouldn't happen in the west.

Sheepeople would be told to go home, the footballs on TV.
I am a rubber farmer and know that their protect is futile, but will support them in the fact that they have a right to protest. Jim

maybe we will get some of the revenue from the tax hike on alcohol, the price for rubber where I farm is under 40 baht a kilo

Originally Posted by mykthemin

maybe we will get some of the revenue from the tax hike on alcohol, the price for rubber where I farm is under 40 baht a kilo

But sheet is over 70 Baht a kilo, so the rubber farmers can get more by doing a bit more work.
This word work is not liked around here, I'm doing cup at the moment, rain and worker shortage, want to get back to sheet. Tappers no, too much work.
Would fire their asses if I could get workers, have 10 tappers now, need 16,
No need for unions, tell them to do something they don't like and it's bye bye and I get no money at all. Jim

Close eye on rallies as talks with govt fail


THE NATION September 6, 2013 1:00 am





Police arrest ten in Prachuap Khiri Khan after confrontation; call for rubber price intervention ignored

Authorities are keeping a close eye on protesting rubber farmers amid fears they may step up the rallies currently being held in several southern provinces following the government's decision to reject their demand for intervention in the price of raw rubber sheets, while only granting them subsidy relief.

The protest situation has not changed in the last three days. Announcing the results of tense negotiations on Wednesday evening between farmer groups and the government, Deputy Prime Minister Kittiratt Na-Ranong said yesterday that the annual Bt1,260 per-rai subsidy for farmers owning 10 rai of rubber plantations would be extended to 25 rai.

However, he made no mention of the protesters' key demand that the price of raw rubber sheets, which averages at around Bt70 at present, be boosted to a minimum of Bt101 or Bt120 maximum.

Speaking at a Government House press conference, he said those qualifying for the subsidies, in the case of 10-rai plantations extended to cover 25 rai, must not be engaged in rubber farming on state-owned properties. The whole process of seeking an additional budget of Bt10.6 billion, in addition to the Bt22 billion already approved for the 10-rai cases, would take no more than two weeks, he added.

The annual Bt1,260 subsidy will be transferred to the bank accounts of rubber farmers who have registered for it, and would not be paid in the form of cheaper fertilisers and other farming subsidies, Kittiratt said, as was understood by some protesting farmers.

He said the price of raw rubber sheets might rise to Bt90 in October. "We must let the price be decided by the market mechanism," he added.

A special government committee was set up yesterday to solve problems with the price of rubber in the long run. The 10-member panel will today travel to Nakhon Si Thammarat to meet a group of rubber farmers at Twin Lotus Hotel to find a way to end the ongoing protest as well as open the blocked roads, Deputy Prime Minister Pracha Promnog said.

A group of protesters in Prachuap Khiri Khan brought 200 car tyres and a fuel drum to a rally site by a Phetkasem Route section at the 413-kilometre marker in Bang Saphan district where they were gathering. They did not say openly what they would do with the tyres and no details were available whether the drum was empty or if it contained something.

Police later dispersed this group of protesters and arrested 10 people. There were bottles thrown at the police during a charge but no serious injuries were reported.

Meanwhile, protesters in Nakhon Si Thammarat agreed to allow access to the railway section of the Ban Toon intersection, though their rally continued at a nearby site. Iad Seng-iad, a protest leader, said the movement would be taken to another level if the government is unable to meet their demands within the seven-day deadline.

Separately, Trang airport officials, guarding against a group of protesters holding a rally nearby, yesterday called on the authorities to provide protection fearing the rubber growers might decide to seize the airport. Songkhla provincial authorities have beefed up security around the Songkhla City Hall and Hat Yai Airport.

Confirming that flights were still operating as usual, Trang Airport director Thaworn Saengamphai said the protesters in Trang's Huay Yot district, which entered its third day yesterday, had made no moves to block the airport yet. As many as 200 police officers are on a standby to handle the situation from possibly escalating.

A special law to enable rescue operations during emergencies has come into effect at the airport and the City Hall compound of Nakhon Si Thammarat, Governor Wiroj Jiwarangsan said. He said anyone found trespassing into both compounds or holding any rally there would face three months imprisonment and/or a Bt6,000 fine.

In Songkhla, provincial officials and police beefed up security at strategic locations, including the City Hall, where all cars are being strictly checked and all visitors have to get their ID cards scanned for record. Security has also been beefed up at Hat Yai Airport.

Meanwhile, Provincial Police Region 9 called on the protesters to gather peacefully and respect other people's rights, adding that police officers manning rally sites will only be equipped with standard crowd-control equipment and would not carry weapons or explosives. He also warned protesters that the punishment for blocking roads was three years in prison and/or a fine of Bt60,000.

In addition, Songkhla protest leaders have warned that if the national policy committee does not accept their demand of boosting the prices of rubber products, they would get protesters from all 14 rubber-growing provinces to escalate their movement. The rubber growers are demanding that the price of ribbed smoked sheets (RSS) be increased to Bt101 per kilogram; raw sheet to Bt92/kg; rubber latex to Bt81; and pure scrap rubber to Bt83. The national police committee was set to discuss the situation yesterday.

In a related development, Nok Air tweeted yesterday that the Nakhon Si Thammarat airport had closed its entrance from the direction of Tha Phae Market and passengers were advised to use the Bang Pu intersection. The airline also urged passengers to show up earlier as a precaution.

Close eye on rallies as talks with govt fail - The Nation

Originally Posted by jamescollister

Originally Posted by BobR

Lots and lots tear gas is cheap and would sure fook up their day, and the irony of using rubber bullets on them would be amusing. This place defies belief sometimes.

Yes, having the right to protest and having the get up and go, to protest, wouldn't happen in the west.

Sheepeople would be told to go home, the footballs on TV.
I am a rubber farmer and know that their protect is futile, but will support them in the fact that they have a right to protest. Jim

Deliberately blocking roads is not protesting, it's selfish, stupid, criminal and violates the rights of people who want to use the road.

But sadly you are right, Americans would be too lazy to protest. As disgusting as I find the PTP, I have to admit the manner in which they got back into power was amazing and should serve as an inspiration for Westerners to take back their countries from the special interests that control them.

Originally Posted by jamescollister

Originally Posted by mykthemin

maybe we will get some of the revenue from the tax hike on alcohol, the price for rubber where I farm is under 40 baht a kilo

But sheet is over 70 Baht a kilo, so the rubber farmers can get more by doing a bit more work.
This word work is not liked around here, I'm doing cup at the moment, rain and worker shortage, want to get back to sheet. Tappers no, too much work.
Would fire their asses if I could get workers, have 10 tappers now, need 16,
No need for unions, tell them to do something they don't like and it's bye bye and I get no money at all. Jim

Yes agree jim, but the cost of the equipment to make the sheets would take years to just break even

Govt refuses to budge in talks


The Nation September 7, 2013 1:00 am
Trailer trucks are moved by protesting rubber growers to block the Asia Highway in Nakhon Si Thammarat


Says it can't afford Bt95 a kg after farmers cut demand; new rally set

Government representatives and protesting farmers failed to agree yesterday on the subsidy for rubber prices.

The government side, led by Deputy Prime Minister Pracha Promnog and Finance Minister Kittiratt Na-Ranong, remained firm about a price of Bt90 a kilogram of rubber while the rubber growers called for Bt100. The farmers' representatives later cut their requested price to Bt95 but the government officials turned down their demand.

The two sides met at the Twin Lotus Hotel in Nakhon Si Thammarat. Members of the government-appointed committee to solve the rubber price problem also were present during yesterday's talks.

The rubber growers also demanded that the government offer compensation after a protester was killed and many others injured during recent police crackdowns, according to Amnuay Yutitham, one of the rubber growers' representatives at yesterday's talks.

Government representatives were firm also on a subsidy of Bt1,260 for fertiliser cost for every rai of rubber plantations. However, the growers said such a measure would only go to owners of rubber plantations, and not small-time planters.

Thawat Boonfuang, the PM's deputy secretary general, said Bt90 a kilogram was the highest the government could go. And that amount would cause a big fiscal burden for the state, he said.

Amnuay, after consulting with other representatives, responded that both sides should meet "half way", demanding that the subsidised price should be Bt95.

After the latest round of talks failed, the rubber growers decided to hold another large rally on September 14.

Groups of rubber farmers were still protesting at many locations in southern provinces yesterday, blocking some sections of roads.



Royal Thai Police spokesman Maj-General Piya Uthayo said hundreds of protesters still blocked roads in Nakhon Si Thammarat and Trang in the South, plus Ubon Ratchathani in the Northeast yesterday.

He said 24 policemen were injured, two of them seriously, during the clash with protesters in Prachuap Khiri Khan, adding that three media cars were also burnt. Twelve protesters were arrested - eight of them men and four women, he said.

Police also had evidence that Capt Songklod Chuenchuphol, an outspoken member of the anti-government movement, was present during the turmoil in Prachuap, according to the police spokesman. He added that the investigators were considering getting a warrant to arrest him.

'Teargas not used'

The authorities yesterday rejected an allegation that they used teargas during a clash with protesting rubber growers on Thursday night in Prachuap Khiri Khan.

Pracha said he closely followed the situation and he insisted that police did not use teargas against the protesters. He questioned the credibility of photos of teargas use shown by an opposition MP.

However, protest leader Santad Dejkerd, who is a rubber grower in Prachuap Khiri Khan, said teargas was used during the police crackdown. He added that firecrackers were also thrown at the protesters.

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra yesterday met representatives from the private sector at Government House to discuss the low price for rubber.

Yingluck called on the rubber growers to take part in talks with government representatives in a bid to resolve differences over the subsidy. "We do not want to see violence, which may bring negative impacts to businesses and tourism in the South," she said.

Federation of Thai Industries president Payungsak Chartsuthiphol said during the meeting with the PM he foresaw the price of rubber rising in the fourth quarter this year, when there would be higher demand for natural rubber.

Opposition leader Abhisit Vejjajiva yesterday expressed concern over the protest by rubber farmers. He called on the government to "adapt its stance in order to better respond to the protesters' demand.

Govt refuses to budge in talks - The Nation

Originally Posted by mykthemin

Originally Posted by jamescollister

Originally Posted by mykthemin

maybe we will get some of the revenue from the tax hike on alcohol, the price for rubber where I farm is under 40 baht a kilo

But sheet is over 70 Baht a kilo, so the rubber farmers can get more by doing a bit more work.
This word work is not liked around here, I'm doing cup at the moment, rain and worker shortage, want to get back to sheet. Tappers no, too much work.
Would fire their asses if I could get workers, have 10 tappers now, need 16,
No need for unions, tell them to do something they don't like and it's bye bye and I get no money at all. Jim

Yes agree jim, but the cost of the equipment to make the sheets would take years to just break even

No less than 15,000 Baht, a bit more than one months car payments.
I may have a big rolling machine a big sheds etc, but all you need is 2 feet a wooden rolling pin and a small ribbing roller.
Slow and time consuming and means longer hours than 2 hour working days, for cup.
There lays the real problem, rubber planters want the big car and need the money, but want a 10 hour working week.
Same as the rice farmers, 3 months a year work, then hammock for the rest. Jim

Originally Posted by jamescollister

Originally Posted by mykthemin

Originally Posted by jamescollister

Originally Posted by mykthemin

maybe we will get some of the revenue from the tax hike on alcohol, the price for rubber where I farm is under 40 baht a kilo

But sheet is over 70 Baht a kilo, so the rubber farmers can get more by doing a bit more work.
This word work is not liked around here, I'm doing cup at the moment, rain and worker shortage, want to get back to sheet. Tappers no, too much work.
Would fire their asses if I could get workers, have 10 tappers now, need 16,
No need for unions, tell them to do something they don't like and it's bye bye and I get no money at all. Jim

Yes agree jim, but the cost of the equipment to make the sheets would take years to just break even

No less than 15,000 Baht, a bit more than one months car payments.
I may have a big rolling machine a big sheds etc, but all you need is 2 feet a wooden rolling pin and a small ribbing roller.
Slow and time consuming and means longer hours than 2 hour working days, for cup.
There lays the real problem, rubber planters want the big car and need the money, but want a 10 hour working week.
Same as the rice farmers, 3 months a year work, then hammock for the rest. Jim

When I looked at the costing, you need 2 machines, one with the large rollers to create the sheet and one to make the ribs and then all the stainless dishes to make the slabs in came to 65000 baht!

Ribbing machine electric 15,000 Baht, manual less, plastic mixing tray 30 Baht each,
Mix in tray, throw on floor and walk on the lump, then with a wooden rolling pin flatten the sheet, then through the ribbing roller a few times, hang up to dry.

If you are doing more rubber than you can handle that way, then you need the 2 machines. I have 3, 2 kneading and one 10 roller ribbing machine.

Crying poor as a rubber planter is a bit much at times. 15 rai of trees that have been taken care of, again too much work for most Thais, will produce 50 kilos of rubber a tap. Cup price 2,000 Baht a day sheet around 3750 Baht a tap. No rent or mortgage, no direct tax, better off than most minimum wage workers in the west.

All this protesting is the Governments fault, they made promises they couldn't keep to win votes. Jim

South rubber growers ready to accept govt's price offer


The Sunday Nation September 8, 2013 1:00 am
A parliamentarian takes a photo of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, seated right, during yesterday

Offer of Bt90 a kilo enough for some, but others still plan September 14 rally

Many rubber growers in the South expressed satisfaction yesterday at the government's offer to buy rubber sheets at a subsidised price of Bt90 a kilogram.

The latest sentiment was in line with a claim by the government that most rubber growers were happy with the price offered by government representatives during their talks with rubber farmers on Friday.

Both sides failed to reach an accord at the talks, as representatives of rubber growers said the lowest price they could agree to was Bt95 a kilogram. That was a reduction from the previous demand of Bt101 to Bt120.

But other protesting growers were not happy with the offer of Bt90 a kilogram and have threatened to hold a larger rally next Saturday.

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra said yesterday most representatives of the rubber growers who attended Friday's talks agreed to the price of Bt90.

"The offered price is the best the government can do. I ask for sympathy from the people," the PM said.

She noted that rubber prices were unlikely to be as high as in the past. A higher price would affect related industries also, she said, adding that natural rubber would be less attractive than synthetic rubber for manufacturers if its price was higher.

Deputy Prime Minister Pracha Promnog said most rubber growers he met in Nakhon Si Thammarat during the talks were satisfied with the government's offer of Bt90 per kilogram of rubber sheets. He said this during yesterday's TV show "Yingluck Government Meets the People".

Finance Minister Kittiratt Na-Ranong, speaking during the same programme, said the government would not intervene in the rubber market or guarantee income for growers, but it would instead offer funding to subsidise the price.

Also during the programme, PM Yingluck said she would instruct government ministries to help increase their use of natural rubber, such as in making gloves, cosmetics, and furniture, as well as road-paving.

Manoon Upala, a leading grower of rubber in Surat Thani, said his group would follow the resolution made at yesterday's meeting of a southern rubber growers network in Trang that agreed to the offered price.

Rubber growers in Phatthalung also were "satisfied to an extent" with the price of Bt90, according to Prapas Suriyapat. But the farmer said they wanted Bt100 a kilo to help them cope with the rising cost of living.

In Ranong, rubber growers were also happy with the price of Bt90, said Somchai Boonmee, a leader of a local farmers' network. He said the price should better reflect the current economic situation.

Meanwhile, a kamnan in Sadao said he disagreed with reports that protesting rubber farmers would block a border checkpoint in Songkhla as a tactic to win a higher price, saying it would hurt exports, trade and local tourism industry. The chief of tambon Samnak Kham said he was negotiating with core leaders of the farmers to convince them not to block the Sadao border checkpoint.

The head of the provincial network of rubber farmers and palm growers, Thanaphol Thongwan, said he had refused to accept a government vow to buy raw rubber sheets at Bt90 per kilogram, although a large number of network members seemed to accept that rate. The networks and members would discuss the Bt90 rate before deciding whether the protest should kick off again next Saturday.

Yesterday, a Suan Dusit poll said respondents thought that protesting rubber farmers had no political motive against the government running a host of rallies at several locations, and that officials should end the protests through peaceful means. The unspecified number of respondents also called on protesters not to block roads or cause too much disruption to society.

South rubber growers ready to accept govt's price offer - The Nation

Panel opts to double rubber subsidy


The Nation September 10, 2013 1:00 am





Kittirat says the move will be for seven months to aid the production

The National Rubber Policy Committee has decided to double the subsidy for rubber growers from Bt1,260 per rai to Bt2,520/rai for seven months, from September 2013 to March 2014, said Deputy PM and and Finance Minister Kittiratt Na-Ranong announced yesterday.

As the panel's chairman, Kittiratt said the new rate would be provided for up to 25 rai per case. The proposal will be submitted to the Cabinet today. He said the new rate would hike the budget for subsidy from Bt10.644 billion to Bt21.209 billion, adding that this assistance was on the principle of helping the farmers' production and not as an intervention in the para-rubber market mechanism. The price of rubber currently is Bt78/kilo.

Earlier yesterday, Deputy PM Pol General Pracha Promnog insisted that the government was committed to the previously agreed price of Bt90/kg for ribbed smoked sheets and said the policy committee would consider other measures for growers affected by the slumping prices.

Although most rubber growers were reportedly satisfied with the Bt90/kg price and ended their protests, farmers in Songkhla have threatened to close the Sadao border checkpoint and the Songkhla deep-sea port on September 14, demanding that the government either agree bring the price up to Bt95/kg or offer an additional Bt1,260/rai fertiliser subsidy. Growers in Nakhon Si Thammarat and some farmers from Surat Thani are reportedly eyeing protests on September 14 to demand a price of Bt100/kg.

Pracha said the committee to tackle the para-rubber problem had previously talked with 40-50 rubber growers, all of whom had agreed to the Bt90/kg price. He said this agreement was the majority's clear conclusion hence the government would stick with it, while the rubber policy committee would consider 4-5 aid measures, including the Bt1,260 per rai fertiliser subsidy. He said the threat to close key sites could inconvenience the public hence the farmers should send their requests to the committee.

Pracha said he would inform provincial governors of the 14 affected southern provinces, of the policy so they could explain details to the farmers.

Yet, Songkhla rubber farmers' representative Kajbundit Rammak said the protesters would close the Sadao border checkpoint and the Songkhla deep-sea port on September 14 if their demands were not met. He said many farmers who had previously agreed to the Bt90/kg offer but turned away after learning that the government wouldn't directly buy the rubber sheets at Bt90/kg, but would "help and compensate in other ways so rubber sheets could be sold at Bt90/kilo". The protesters will be meeting in Bangkok today to decide on their next move.

Meanwhile, Trang Industry Council chairman Withee Supitak, also a Woodwork Group Co executive, urged the government to resolve the problem because para-rubber business operators didn't want protester to block roads or ports

In related news, deputy national police chief Pol General Ek Angsananon went to Prachuap Khiri Khan yesterday to follow the police probe into the protesters who blocked/burned the Phetchkasem Highway and damaged cars in Bang Saphan district last week. He wants the probe to be concluded in 30 days. Police have issued arrest warrants for 10 people so far.
Panel opts to double rubber subsidy - The Nation

Think I should go buy a new car, Governments paying 90 Baht a kilo one day, removing tax the next and now going to give us a big wedge of cash on top. Show me the money. Jim

Sounds very good to me is that subsidy a one off payment or per month? any one know?

Originally Posted by mykthemin

Sounds very good to me is that subsidy a one off payment or per month? any one know?

Went to register for this grant, at this point in time it's a maybe 10,000 Baht a rai 10 rai.
All these deals have to be approved by Parliament first, now look a some of the photo's, it's pouring rain there, as it is where I am, you can't tap rubber.
When the rain stops the protesters will be tapping and not protesting, but the legislation will not have passed Parliament yet.
Some face saving money will be given, but not what was promised and the rubber planters will not down tapping knives at the height of the season to block roads again.
Next year the prices may be good again, problem solved. Jim

Originally Posted by jamescollister

Govt tries to sway rubber farmers to end protests

The word I would have used instead of "sway" is "bribe". Seems to have worked so fair's fair.