Rubber farmers warn Thai govt, threaten road blockades

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PROTEST
Rubber farmers threaten road blockades
The Nation



Groups warn govt 4 highways will be targeted if price guarantees not met

RANONG: -- Rubber farmers have vowed to block four regional highways on September 3 if the government ignores falling prices for their product.

Bunlert Chancharoen, a protest leader, said yesterday that more than 1,000 rubber farmers from Ranong would join other farmers from the rest of the country in the protest. Rubber is a major commercial crop of the South, but by failing to shore up rubber prices, Bunlert said, the government has neglected to help farmers. The government just dismissed the protest of rubber farmers as a political game, he said.

He said his group's complaint to Ranong Governor Cherdsak Champathet had fallen on deaf ears. Already 20 days had passed beyond the deadline that the farmers set for the government to address their problems, but nothing has been done.

The Democrat MPs representing southern provinces have put together a five-point action plan for the government, including providing rehabilitation funds for rubber farmers injured during the police crackdown on their street protest on Saturday. The same standard must be applied as was used for the red shirts wounded in political riots, the MPs said.

The group also resolved that Democrat Nipit Intarasombat would provide legal assistance to the rubber farmers charged in connection with the protest. The MPs also called on the government to accept the farmers' demands and support the farmers' efforts to alleviate their problem.

Rubber farmers in Nakhon Si Thammarat's Cha-uad district continued to block two stretches of Highway 41 with trucks on both lanes and demanded that the agriculture minister meet them to hear their grievances.

The farmers denied that their protest was politically motivated, saying it was purely about falling prices of agricultural commodities like rubber and palm oil.

Provincial police have already sought reinforcements from anti-riot police.

Agriculture Minister Yukol Limlamthong has rejected the demand to buy rubber at Bt120 per kilogram, arguing that the world price was Bt70.

Rubber inventories currently amount to more than 200,000 tonnes. The government plans to develop integrated rubber plantations, stressing management and marketing, as a solution to the problem of low prices in the long run.

Tree-felling plan

Under the plan, one million farmers must fell rubber trees that are over 25 years old to make them into planks that can be exported. The plan will be forwarded for Cabinet approval soon.

The farmers must accept change and if they hold illegal rallies, they would face the law, Yukol added.

Pol Colonel Bunlert Wongwajjana, deputy chief of Nakhon Ratchasima Provincial Police, will today call a meeting of police to draw up a plan to deal with the rallies of rubber farmers. He said he hopes protest leaders will be satisfied after talking with government representatives on Thursday, and that the rally to block major highways will be called off.

Chuan Chimklang, a leader of rubber farmers in Nakhon Ratchasima, said the farmers were struggling with labour costs due to the Bt300 minimum wage policy, higher fertiliser prices and the rising cost of living. He said he would be satisfied if the government bought rubber for Bt85-Bt97 per kilogram.


-- The Nation 2013-08-26

[Siripon]

But Pheau Thai are paying rice farmers 15,000 baht a tonne whilst the market price is 8,000 baht.

Surely they should offer the same terms to the rubber planters, after all we don't want to see double standards now, do we?

[retell]

hope the price will be ok in a few years when our field are ready for tapping

[NongKhaiKid]

But Pheau Thai are paying rice farmers 15,000 baht a tonne whilst the market price is 8,000 baht.

Surely they should offer the same terms to the rubber planters, after all we don't want to see double standards now, do we?

Yes definately. Throw money at the rice farmers who are supporters whereas southern rubber planters are likely to be Democrats. I can't say about those in Nakhon Ratchasima but suspect many will be supporters.

If roads are blocked it will be interesting to see the reaction from government and maybe the reds after all it's not the same as reds blocking the highways around Khon Kaen in 2010 and also preventing a military train from moving. Road blocks nowadays would be anti-government and we know the reaction to such..

[tominbkk]

PTP can send their red thugs in for a massive street brawl.

[ramrod711]

The Democrat MPs representing southern provinces have put together a five-point action plan for the government, including providing rehabilitation funds for rubber farmers injured during the police crackdown on their street protest on Saturday. The same standard must be applied as was used for the red shirts wounded in political riots, the MPs said.

Fat chance of that happening.

Agriculture Minister Yukol Limlamthong has rejected the demand to buy rubber at Bt120 per kilogram, arguing that the world price was Bt70.

Welcome to the new Thailand, where how you are treated depends on whether you support the PTP.

The farmers must accept change and if they hold illegal rallies, they would face the law, Yukol added.

Well, that should be so, but then people would expect that everybody would be treated the same way. This country is in a dangerous place right now, the only protection citizens have is the courts, and if Thaksin gains control there, welcome to anarchy.

[Robby nz]

Seems to me that the minister has put forward some sensible proposals (more details elsewhere) that the rubber farmers should look at seriously.

However with the rice thing they have given farmers expectations that are unsustainable and this is coming back to haunt them.

What next, Palm oil farmers, Cassava farmers.

But rice farmers are going to have to diversify, into rubber..........oh hang on.

[Thait Spot]

There is also a lot of rubber growing up in the north and north-east

[bonobo]

But Pheau Thai are paying rice farmers 15,000 baht a tonne whilst the market price is 8,000 baht.

Surely they should offer the same terms to the rubber planters, after all we don't want to see double standards now, do we?

I have friends who are small-time rubber farmers in Naratiwat. This is the exact point they are making. Why are rice farmers supported but not rubber farmers?

I think there are many arguments that can be made about any price supports, but the point that rice farmers are supported but not them is a valid one.

[Johnnie99]

Mob rule is so attractive. Must look great in foreign news reports.

[drdoom6996]

But Pheau Thai are paying rice farmers 15,000 baht a tonne whilst the market price is 8,000 baht.

Surely they should offer the same terms to the rubber planters, after all we don't want to see double standards now, do we?

Standards, does PTP have standards, except for corruption. These farmers are represented by Democrats and they don't have Red Shirts on. Good Luck to them

[belg]

thailand, welcome to world market economics

like it makes no sense to spend 15000 baht per tonne, while the world market price is a bit more than half of it

who is next taking the streets because they operate in an industry that does not make them enough profit ?

Edited August 26, 2013 by belg

[maxtingtong]

Till a couple of years ago government was promoting millions of rai in the isaan to be converted from rice to rubber no comment

[Thai at Heart]

Till a couple of years ago government was promoting millions of rai in the isaan to be converted from rice to rubber no comment

Thousands if not millions of rai in the south have reached the end of their useful life. Industry proposed the move to isaan

[johnnie20110]

Till a couple of years ago government was promoting millions of rai in the isaan to be converted from rice to rubber no comment

Thousands if not millions of rai in the south have reached the end of their useful life. Industry proposed the move to isaan

Actually, the 90 million rubber saplings for Issan was a Thaksin proposed scheme that squandered a billion and half baht when most of the saplings were inferior and died.

Rubber trees have been planted and replanted in cycles in southern Thailand and Malaysia for decades.

[retell]

Till a couple of years ago government was promoting millions of rai in the isaan to be converted from rice to rubber no comment

Thousands if not millions of rai in the south have reached the end of their useful life. Industry proposed the move to isaan

Actually, the 90 million rubber saplings for Issan was a Thaksin proposed scheme that squandered a billion and half baht when most of the saplings were inferior and died.

Rubber trees have been planted and replanted in cycles in southern Thailand and Malaysia for decades.

they still give them away in isaan from time to time

but what i do not understand why a roadblock , slowdown traffic does not help the usage of rubber , more cars running more tyre wear , so they should park their trucks in a way that all traffic could only pass by taking alot of corners for about 50 km

[schondie]

The rice farmers got their promised subsidies for electing PT and it's shown itself to be a massive waste of cash. Future generations will be paying for that one many a year.

The rubber and palm oil farmers won't get their way on this even though it's unfair to them as the rice farmers are getting their pay-off. Then again, many rubber and palm oil farmers are in the south and very rarely vote for the PT party.

[Nickymaster]

Till a couple of years ago government was promoting millions of rai in the isaan to be converted from rice to rubber no comment

Thousands if not millions of rai in the south have reached the end of their useful life. Industry proposed the move to isaan

Actually, the 90 million rubber saplings for Issan was a Thaksin proposed scheme that squandered a billion and half baht when most of the saplings were inferior and died.

Rubber trees have been planted and replanted in cycles in southern Thailand and Malaysia for decades.

they still give them away in isaan from time to time

but what i do not understand why a roadblock , slowdown traffic does not help the usage of rubber , more cars running more tyre wear , so they should park their trucks in a way that all traffic could only pass by taking alot of corners for about 50 km

How about this to increase rubber usage?

Edited August 26, 2013 by Nickymaster

[Thai at Heart]

Till a couple of years ago government was promoting millions of rai in the isaan to be converted from rice to rubber no comment

Thousands if not millions of rai in the south have reached the end of their useful life. Industry proposed the move to isaan

Actually, the 90 million rubber saplings for Issan was a Thaksin proposed scheme that squandered a billion and half baht when most of the saplings were inferior and died.

Rubber trees have been planted and replanted in cycles in southern Thailand and Malaysia for decades.

The initial plan came from the rubber exporters. You think thaksin came up with this plan all on his lonesome?

Ship it by rail to China from Isaan.

[mikemac]

Oh, now I understand why the so-called "government" does not up the price for rubber. The PTP redshirt terrorists will only stack it up and burn it at the next "peaceful demonstration". It all makes sense now.........................

[Gulfsailor]

Things are escalating at the roadblock at Cha Uat now. According to latest reports an ambulance arrived and the men dressed as orderlies asked to be let through. They were allowed, but when they passed they out and were waving guns. From the other side two more vans showed up with armed men. They started shooting in the air with M16 rifles. Protesters scattered. Some people were shot including an 8 year old kid. Then the armed men grabbed 10 protesters and took them with them in the vans.

[Thai at Heart]

Things are escalating at the roadblock at Cha Uat now. According to latest reports an ambulance arrived and the men dressed as orderlies asked to be let through. They were allowed, but when they passed they out and were waving guns. From the other side two more vans showed up with armed men. They started shooting in the air with M16 rifles. Protesters scattered. Some people were shot including an 8 year old kid. Then the armed men grabbed 10 protesters and took them with them in the vans.

Wow? This is crazy if true.

[Pimay1]

Things are escalating at the roadblock at Cha Uat now. According to latest reports an ambulance arrived and the men dressed as orderlies asked to be let through. They were allowed, but when they passed they out and were waving guns. From the other side two more vans showed up with armed men. They started shooting in the air with M16 rifles. Protesters scattered. Some people were shot including an 8 year old kid. Then the armed men grabbed 10 protesters and took them with them in the vans.

Where are these reports coming from? Are they credible? If true there should be coverage of this on the news this morning. And if true it is madness.

[Nickymaster]

Things are escalating at the roadblock at Cha Uat now. According to latest reports an ambulance arrived and the men dressed as orderlies asked to be let through. They were allowed, but when they passed they out and were waving guns. From the other side two more vans showed up with armed men. They started shooting in the air with M16 rifles. Protesters scattered. Some people were shot including an 8 year old kid. Then the armed men grabbed 10 protesters and took them with them in the vans.

Wow? This is crazy if true.

Crazy indeed. Sounds like the police state is slowly taking shape.

[Robby nz]

The Mrs tells me it is on facebook that they have blocked the railway line to the south with trucks and no trains can get through.

She just got back from there last night by train and is counting herself lucky she didn't stay another day.

[Robby nz]

Seems it is on Tele about the rail being blocked.

Someone just phoned and asked the Mrs if she got home OK, they said they saw it on Tele and were worried about her.

[BOBBYTIN]

hope the price will be ok in a few years when our field are ready for tapping

i sell beer in my bar for 60b a bottle,but in patong it is 100B,it is only fair the govnt pay me the difference . HUMOUR

[xray]

I am not sure what the rules are on this forum in regards to linking The Bangkok Post, so I wont. There is an article online entitled 'Rubber farmers halt southern trains'.

I can verify from personal experience that last night and today Hat Yai line trains through the effected area were cancelled. I believe trains on the Trang line are currently still running to and from Trang.

Edited August 27, 2013 by xray

[johnnie20110]

I am not sure what the rules are on this forum in regards to linking The Bangkok Post, so I wont. There is an article online entitled 'Rubber farmers halt southern trains'.

I can verify from personal experience that yesterday and today Hat Yai line trains through the effected area were cancelled. I believe trains on the Trang line are currently still running to and from Trang.

A banner week for the SRT to have both the Northern line and now, the Southern line, shut down.

[scotbeve]

But Pheau Thai are paying rice farmers 15,000 baht a tonne whilst the market price is 8,000 baht.

Surely they should offer the same terms to the rubber planters, after all we don't want to see double standards now, do we?

Yes definately. Throw money at the rice farmers who are supporters whereas southern rubber planters are likely to be Democrats. I can't say about those in Nakhon Ratchasima but suspect many will be supporters.

If roads are blocked it will be interesting to see the reaction from government and maybe the reds after all it's not the same as reds blocking the highways around Khon Kaen in 2010 and also preventing a military train from moving. Road blocks nowadays would be anti-government and we know the reaction to such..

There are MANY rubber plantations in the north, northeast and central plains now... the southern plantation owners usually START the protests!