Rubber growers block roads in South again

[Lite Beer]

PROTEST
Rubber growers block roads in South again
The Sunday Nation

Protests in Nakhon Si Thammarat; growers split over offers

Southern rubber growers took to the streets again yesterday after representatives from 11 out of the 16 rubber-growing provinces in the South failed to reach an accord with the government about measures to help prop up the rubber prices.

Protesting rubber growers took many trucks, including trailers, to block a section of the Asian Highway in Chulabhorn district in Nakhon Si Thammarat. Car tyres were also burnt at this location. The blockade began shortly before 6pm and brought traffic came to a halt.

About 10 kilometres away, another group of angry rubber farmers also blocked Kuan Nong Hong intersection in Cha-uat in the same province. This district saw a similar road closure recently when the growers' rally began.

Some protest leaders said they were calling for government sincerity in dealing with the problem of falling rubber prices. They wanted the government to send representatives directly responsible for the matter to talk with them.

Earlier yesterday, southern rubber farmers were divided on whether they should sign an agreement with a government representative about their five demands. Growers' representatives from 11 provinces refused to sign their names, arguing that they were not convinced the government representative - the PM's deputy secretary-general Thawat Boonfuang - had the authority to enter into the agreement on the government's behalf.

They also alleged that the people who signed the agreement with the government were local politicians, not rubber growers. The growers' leaders said they suspected there could have been some kind of "political scheme".

Only five of the rubber-growing southern provinces - Nakhon Si Thammarat, Songkhla, Pattani, Yala, and Narathiwat - entered into the agreement while the remaining 11 provinces opted out. The 16 rubber-growing southern provinces also include Phetchaburi and Prachuap Khiri Khan, which are officially listed as part of the central region.

Thawat met leaders of the rubber growers at Phra Mahathat Temple in Nakhon Si Thammarat, which saw a large rally of angry growers recently.

Leaders of rubber growers from the 11 defiant provinces called a press conference yesterday. Saksawat Sriprasart, one of the leaders, said they refused to sign because they were unsure whether the government reps would be able to take action to tackle the falling rubber price. He said the government appeared to have ignored some of their demands. They called for a government official with authority to meet them. Thawat called a separate conference to voice "success" in reaching a deal with reps from growers. He said the government would tackle their problems urgently.

Sompong Ratchasuwan, a leader from Songkhla, said many growers were happy with proposed measures, such as a purchase price at Bt90 a kilo and a subsidy of Bt2,520 for each rai of rubber. But he said plantation owners would benefit from those measures, not small-time rubber farmers.

Among five demands were a price of Bt90 or Bt95 per kilo, Bt1,260 in fertiliser subsidy, and raising the price to Bt120 a kg within six months.

-- The Nation 2013-09-15

[jaidam]

This whole protest until we win concept is going to do a Pistorius(get legs and run)

Every farmer will now feel entitled to a subsidy for whatever crop they are growing. With a government that came to power by using terrorism and violent protests, and intends/needs to stay in power until they complete their ultimate goal, they will cave in and agree to any and all protest demands.

There we have it, alot of us wanted to know the ramifications of winning a govt by using an artificially tasty carrot and a bluddy big stick. Rampant inflation, violent protests left right and center, whinge until you win, just what the voters deserve. Enjoy.

[MaiChai]

Trouble is rubber trees are a long term investment. Difficult to switch crop, unless you want to tear down trees that have taken a number of years to grow.

[bangkokheat]

the minds of 7 year olds at play throwing tantrums because they dont get their own way, pathetic behaviour, even more so by the government if they stove in to their demands

[ggold]

This whole protest until we win concept is going to do a Pistorius(get legs and run)

Yes and it could end in a shooting!

[Rooo]

Now the Corn growers want government assistance.

[seajae]

this is just bullshit, they chose to grow rubber trees, if the world prices are not to their liking then too bad. The sugar cane growers in Australia go through the same thing, you get highs and lows, holding the country to ransom over it is just bullshit and these idiots need to be stopped. We all realize that the govt is partly to blame due to their rice bribes but enough is enough, why should everyone else have to put up with this crap when they are the ones that decided to grow this crop in the first place, fault rests with them alone.

.

[Searat7]

Arrest those blocking roads and throw them in jail. It is time the people here learn there are consequences to breaking the law. Demonstrations should be allowed in areas which do not infringe upon the rights of others.

[indyuk]

The Government should not pander to the Rubber Farmers who reaped the benefit of very high prices paid in the rubber market a few years ago. Hardship payments are already offered. Therefore it is not acceptable that the Rubber Farmers have reinstated their Demonstrations and Road blocks. Send them to prison where there can continue their protest in the form of a hunger strike if they wish.

[siampolee]

The Government should not pander to the Rubber Farmers who reaped the benefit of very high prices paid in the rubber market a few years ago. Hardship payments are already offered. Therefore it is not acceptable that the Rubber Farmers have reinstated their Demonstrations and Road blocks. Send them to prison where there can continue their protest in the form of a hunger strike if they wish.

Indeed it is so refreshing to see your take on democracy, such a pity the action you advocate wasn't taken the last time there was wholesale disruption to the daily lives of the citizens of Thailand then we would have had no problems at all.

The advocates of Red Shirt Thaksin style democracy are indeed akin to blinkered horses.

The genie is out of the bottle, assorted groups see the handouts to the favoured groups thus they want that which they perceive as their share, just like the P.T.P.and its ragged trouser coalition party partners.

Indeed that trough is going to have to get a lot bigger to accommodate all the collective snouts that are gathering to consume the pig swill of power that the current government have got to carry on feeding to its pets so as one man his family and their brown nosing acolytes can retain power.

Trouble is that food cost are rising on a daily basis, wonder which group of piggies will be first to shipped off to the high altar of sacrifice to appease the puppets paymaster ?

[Lite Beer]

Rubber growers continue to block highway in Nakhon Si Thammarat
By English News

NAKHON SI THAMMARAT, Sept 15--- Disgruntled rubber farmers are still blocking the Khuan Nong Hong intersection on Asian Highway 41 in Cha-uat district of the southern province, expressing their dissatisfaction with the state’s financial assistance at Bt2,520 per rai (0.4 acre) of rubber plantation.

Earlier, the unrelenting rubber growers have blocked the highway at the intersection of Ban Tao Poon in Chulabhorn district and the Khuan Nong Hong intersection in Cha-uat district.

Later, the rubber farmers at the intersection of Ban Tao Poon opened way for traffic in the afternoon and moved to gather with protesters in Cha-uat district.

In response to the ongoing demonstration, Nakhon Si Thammarat governor Wiroj Jiwarangsan said that relevant officials have been closely monitoring and assessing the situation as well as coordinating with community leaders to help give explanation to the protesters in order to find a solution.

Meanwhile, provincial police officers have been providing security at the protest site as well as directing the traffic.

Protesting rubber farmers at the Khuan Nong Hong intersection set up a road blockade by parking trucks and placing cement pipes on southbound traffic lanes as well as setting up tents on northbound traffic lanes.



In a related development, Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra upon her arrival to Suvarnabhumi Airport has pleaded with demonstrators to end their road blockades.

Regarding other demands on rubber prices, the government would continue the Cabinet’s resolution to offer of Bt2,520 financial aid per rai (0.4 acre) of plantation which was accepted by most rubber growers nationwide, the premier explained.

Ms Yingluck added that she followed up the situation during her trip to European countries. The premier also urged the police chief to provide security. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2013-09-15

[Lite Beer]

Pheu Thai threatens to strike back

BANGKOK: -- Pheu Thai spokesman Prompong Nopparit threatened to release a video clip and photos, to substantiate the party's claim that some politicians are behind rubber farmers' protest.

"If they don’t stop, I will release the name of the rubber trader, a relative of a politician. I have all evidence," he said.

Prompong said that most rubber farmers are pleased with the government’s solutions to ease the sagging price but some still block Highway No. 41 in Nakhon Si Thammarat.

He said some politicians are behind this movement, hoping that this will erode the government’s stability. Meanwhile, some traders had amassed tonnes of rubber ahead of protests in southern provinces, hoping to gain a big price differential if the government agrees to guarantee the rubber price at Bt120 per kg.

-- The Nation 2013-09-15

[jeff2258]

I just wonder, when the price was good at around 150 baht/kg did the farmer pay extra to the government? Why when the price drop the government needs to top up the differences? I really don't understand what those people thinks??