Cabinet approves 15 billion baht budget for rubber planters and entrepreneurs

BANGKOK, 29 January 2016 (NNT) – The Cabinet has approved a 15 billion baht budget for the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives’ loan project for rubber planters and entrepreneurs with the help from the Government Savings Bank and six other banks from 2016 until 2026, said Prime Minister's Office spokesman Sansern Kaewkamnerd.

The rubber planters and entrepreneurs are obliged to have specific qualifications to be entitled to the loan which will help increase the uses of rubber by about 60,000 tons in a year. The period of loan application is lasting for one year from the date on which the Cabinet approved the budget.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives will control the amount of loan provided to individual planters and entrepreneurs who may borrow it while the Rubber Authority of Thailand will control the uses of rubber.


-- NNT 2016-01-29

Commerce Ministry relieves rubber planters' woes

BANGKOK, 29 January 2016 (NNT) – Commerce Minister Abhiradee Tantraporn said the ministry has taken measures to provide relief aid to rubber planters affected by rubber price slumps and to reduce their cost of living.

Over four million rice bags have been provided to over 800,000 households of rubber planters who have been registered with the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives in 68 provinces. Each rice bag weighs five kilograms and was distributed by the Ministry of Interior.

Besides, basic consumer goods will be available for sale at prices which will be 20-40 percent cheaper than market prices to the rubber planters in 15 southern provinces. Such measures will reduce the cost of living for the rubber planters by about 30-35 million baht.


-- NNT 2016-01-29

Again, the Thai government folded like a cheap lawn chair, like all the governments before them,

they just couldn't;t help them selves to play the nanny to another failed group of farmers who never ever

thought that the time will come and their products will not be in demand, they never allowed for that,

why should they if the government is there to cover their collective failed asses?.....

Total capitulation!

Again.

I would be looking at who else besides the farmers. Has to gain? Wasnt Suthep mentioned!

"specific qualifications" knowing how to put your hand out with upturned palm!

Prayuth will not be bullied or intimidated.

I've lost count of how many times over the last year the PM said the govt can provide little help to the rubber farmers because then all the other farmers growing whatever would want help (money). But the govt keeps handing out the subsidies, benefits, etc., to the rubber farmers when the farmers make noise.

The squeaky wheel gets the oil....and I expect even with oil being applied by the govt on regular intervals it will not stop the wheel from squeaking for long.

There are some smart cookies on this site , who can think outside the square, what product could be made from all this rubber to HELP aleveate this problem,

give something back to Thailand, some ones idea can make the difference , your thoughts

It will be the Mom and Pop corner shops next,too much competition

from Tesco,Big C,7-11, please help us.

regards Worgeordie

Wonder if Prayut will be asked to repay any losses during the next administration

Thank goodness government has rejected any populist programs like the rice project. Maybe they can become hub of "rubber checks"? Maybe make rubbers for bridge players?

"basic consumer goods will be available for sale at prices which will be 20-40 percent cheaper than market prices" so besides propping up excessive capacity, will also drive viable businesses out of business. Do the EVER think things through? Do they have the capacity to do that? I have yet to see evidence where intervention in market forces here has led to a good outcome.

Someone please slap a civil compensation claim on these clowns.

The problem is over supply and decreasing demand. Rubber plantations aren't worth anything anymore and the southern provinces are over reliant on it as a main source of income. The problem is that too many people jump on the bandwagon during the boom years which ultimately hastens the decline for all when there's a downturn. Until they learn to diversify their crops they'll always have the same problem. Fly over anywhere in southern Thailand and all you can see are plantations. It should be fairly obvious to anyone with a brain that this can't be good in the long term.

again we have the government bailing out the farmers the economy is on a downward spiral the governments in a state of flux , it doesn't matter how much money they throw at the farmers the result will stay the same if there is no demand for rubber worldwide the farmers will have to diversify .