Rubber protests: 'No more talk over subsidies'

[webfact]

RUBBER PROTEST
'No more talk over subsidies'
The Nation



Govt says it won't raise its offer to growers blocking roads in south

BANGKOK: -- The government will not negotiate anymore with protesting rubber growers but stick to its previously agreed subsidy of Bt2,520 per rai for rubber farms or households - for up to 25 rai for seven months, PM's Deputy Secretary-General Thawat Boonfeung said yesterday.

Meanwhile, PM Yingluck Shinawatra has urged protesters not to block roads, saying it could adversely affect the economy.

Rubber and oil palm growers blocking two sections of highway number 41 in Nakhon Si Thammarat yesterday presented six demands to the government. They also cancelled a roadblock in Chulabhorn district to join the roadblock protest at Kuan Nong Hong Intersection in Cha-uat district instead.

The Chulabhorn demonstrators demanded a government guarantee a price of Bt100 per kilogram for rubber sheets, Bt50 per kilogram for cup lumps, and to ensure Bt6 per kilogram for oil palm.

They demanded a reply in seven days - or else they would scale up the protest and join with Ramkhamhaeng University students to rally in front of Government House. They also called on the government to pardon demonstrators and pay compensation to those affected by protest crackdowns - be they state officials or protesters.

Meanwhile, Nakhon Si Thammarat governor Viroj Jivarungsan and provincial police deputy chief Pol Col Suthat Chansawat joined in a video conference with deputy prime minister Pol General Pracha Phromnog and national police chief Pol General Adul Saengsingkaew to monitor the protest.

Pracha instructed officials to watch the situation closely and to provide aid and learn about protesters' demands in order to help the government propose support measures later.

Viroj said the province had tried to make urgent contact with the rubber growers and bring everyone on to the same page. He advised the public and motorists to avoid protest sites while police set up checkpoints on routes to the protest sites to provide security and stop smuggling of illegal items.

Earlier yesterday, Thawat Boonfeung said he reported to PM Yingluck about talks on Saturday with rubber growers from 11 southern provinces who blocked Kuan Nong Hong Intersection.

The protesters divided into two groups - Nakhon Si Thammarat farmers who agreed to the state aid, and those from other provinces wouldn't end their protest.

The latter group insisted the government must help all rubber plantations, legal or illegal and keep price at rubber sheets at Bt120 per kilogram. They also wanted Bt2,520 per rai, for up to 25 rai for seven months per individual, not per household, which was unacceptable, he said.

Thawat said the government would insist on the previous "agreed offer", as other farmers had agreed not to close borders or international roads. He added that he had talked with Pracha and the national police chief on proceeding with legal action against protesters blocking roads.

-- The Nation 2013-09-16

[NongKhaiKid]

In this free, democratic nation where there are no double standards practiced let's see the government apply the same standards to the rice farmers.

The rice farmers have threatened mayhem if the government carries out the proposed drop in subsidy on the second rice crop so will the government stand firm and take them on or will it cave ?

I know which option my money's on.

[ramrod711]

Meanwhile, PM Yingluck Shinawatra has urged protesters not to block roads, saying it could adversely affect the economy.

Only streets in Bangkok should be blocked....and then only by friends of Thaksin.

[selftaopath]

LOL"she urged" the thugs to not block roads??? LOL oh myyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy. What would be a typical response in a civilized "rule of law" country??? lol Not urging criminals not to do thattttttttttttttttttt lol I can assure you.

[JimMagee]

Un-freakin-believable - once again, demands without foresight. Thai people never think about how their actions today will affect the future. The Thai government does not have any control over prices. I do not support the subsidies as they are proposed. If they want to do something that will have a positive impact on rubber prices, then either reduce production, or increase demand. Simple equation. The Thai government should be working towards selling more rubber, opening new global distribution channels, creating new markets. improving the cost of production so a better price can be offered, etc. If they are going to give subsidies, they should pay the farmers to stop cutting their trees, thus reducing production.

As soon as the politicians can figure out a way for them, personally, to make substantial money, they will come with with a rubber scheme.

But a rubber scheme may bounce back higher than the rice scheme did.

[worgeordie]

Why aren't the rubber tappers in isaan and the North protesting,

has the Government done some secret deal with their leaders ?

Over supply and therefore a drop in prices,can be laid at the

Governments door, as they promoted (with free saplings)

growing of rubber trees in the North and Issan where they

have never been grown before.

regards Worgeordie

[15Peter20]

Why aren't the rubber tappers in isaan and the North protesting,

has the Government done some secret deal with their leaders ?

Over supply and therefore a drop in prices,can be laid at the

Governments door, as they promoted (with free saplings)

growing of rubber trees in the North and Issan where they

have never been grown before.

regards Worgeordie

It's not surprising the northern/Isaan rubber farmers aren't protesting. They aren't being controlled by local Dem politicians.

[h90]

Why aren't the rubber tappers in isaan and the North protesting,

has the Government done some secret deal with their leaders ?

Over supply and therefore a drop in prices,can be laid at the

Governments door, as they promoted (with free saplings)

growing of rubber trees in the North and Issan where they

have never been grown before.

regards Worgeordie

It's not surprising the northern/Isaan rubber farmers aren't protesting. They aren't being controlled by local Dem politicians.

I know some rubber farmers in the South and they aren't controlled by Dem politicians. They vote for the Dems, but they not let anyone control them....Very independent people...

[Ricardo]

Why aren't the rubber tappers in isaan and the North protesting,

has the Government done some secret deal with their leaders ?

Over supply and therefore a drop in prices,can be laid at the

Governments door, as they promoted (with free saplings)

growing of rubber trees in the North and Issan where they

have never been grown before.

regards Worgeordie

It's not surprising the northern/Isaan rubber farmers aren't protesting. They aren't being controlled by local Dem politicians.

And also they did a separate deal, about a week ago, with their government-chums.

Divide-and-rule by PTP makes sense, others would call it double-standards, but hey, the South did not vote for Thaksin Yingluck so can't expect to benefit.

[webfact]

Rubber protesters unblock road
By English News

NAKHON SI THAMMARAT, Sept 16 -- Rubber grower protesters in the southern province of Nakhon Si Thammarat has unblocked Asian Highway at Kuan Nong Hong intersection after police negotiated their reopening the road.

Police early this morning met the demonstrators blocking the Asian Highway to protest the falling price of rubber and palm oil and cleared the road to reopen it for traffic without clashing with the protesters.

The rally restarted over the weekend with blocking the road at Nakhon Si Thammarat's Kuan Nong Hong intersection, between Km333 and Km334 of Highway 41.

The protesters demanded that rubber price must be pledged at Bt120 per kilo. They also called on the government to solve the problem of falling palm oil prices.

The protesters said they wanted the government's answer within seven days otherwise they will rally at Government House. (MCOT online news)


-- TNA 2013-09-16

[Zolt]

Didn't they ALREADY agree on a price of 90THB with the government? And that's on top of the other subsidies they get.

[Lite Beer]

Thai Police: Blocked roads are now opened

BANGKOK, 16 September 2013 (NNT) – The Royal Thai Police have removed roadblocks in Cha-uat District, Nakhon Si Thammarat and reopened the highway for traffic. The operation was conducted without any violence.

According to Police Spokesperson Pol Maj Gen Piya Uthayo, the police have taken control over the situation in Nakhon Si Thammarat, where rubber protesters have been blocking the highway in Cha-uat District. The roads are now opened to traffic.

Police moved in early in the morning when there were few protesters left in the area as most farmers left the site to tap rubber trees. No clashes have been reported and no arrests have been made at the scene. Police will remain in the area until the situation improves, said the spokesman.

He further revealed that there has been no report of other gatherings in other areas, while urging the protesters not to block any more roads as the action violates the law.

He also said the police would investigate if anyone was behind the protest, adding that the police arrested one of the protest leaders who had led a group of teenagers in attacking a police booth. The perpetrator is now under custody an will be charged for his criminal act.

-- NNT 2013-09-16

[hellodolly]

Meanwhile, PM Yingluck Shinawatra has urged protesters not to block roads, saying it could adversely affect the economy.

Only streets in Bangkok should be blocked....and then only by friends of Thaksin.

I was under the understanding that the streets of Bangkok were all ready blocked by new cars the Government had allowed people to buy. Even here in Chiang Mai we have blocked roads with those new cars.

[hellodolly]

Un-freakin-believable - once again, demands without foresight. Thai people never think about how their actions today will affect the future. The Thai government does not have any control over prices. I do not support the subsidies as they are proposed. If they want to do something that will have a positive impact on rubber prices, then either reduce production, or increase demand. Simple equation. The Thai government should be working towards selling more rubber, opening new global distribution channels, creating new markets. improving the cost of production so a better price can be offered, etc. If they are going to give subsidies, they should pay the farmers to stop cutting their trees, thus reducing production.

As soon as the politicians can figure out a way for them, personally, to make substantial money, they will come with with a rubber scheme.

But a rubber scheme may bounce back higher than the rice scheme did.

What ever you do don't tell that to Yingluck. She will use it as an excuse to go on another around the world shopping trip.

[tonneke breda]

Why aren't the rubber tappers in isaan and the North protesting,

has the Government done some secret deal with their leaders ?

Over supply and therefore a drop in prices,can be laid at the

Governments door, as they promoted (with free saplings)

growing of rubber trees in the North and Issan where they

have never been grown before.

regards Worgeordie

Also the majority of the rubber plantations are located in the south, while the north harbors red-shirt rice farmers

[tonneke breda]

If the government wants to come with an solution??

I got 1 who will work in different ways. Start to promote to Thai men and students to wear condoms while having sex!!

It will increase the demand of rubber, and will downgrade the number of teen pregnancy and diseases.