PRIME Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha ordered the Agriculture and Cooperatives Ministry to tally the requirements for rubber by various government agencies so that he could approve a purchase budget to help resolve low rubber price, Voice TV said today (July 11).
While viewing an exhibition by the Rubber Authority of Thailand prior to today’s Cabinet meeting Premier Prayut also ordered the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment to resolve the problem of forest encroachment to reduce rubber cultivation and encourage farmers to switch to other crops.
Meanwhile General Chatchalerm Chalermsuk, chairman of the Board of the Rubber Authority of Thailand, said the government is unable to support and lift rubber price to 70 baht a kilogram as urged by rubber farmers who are moving to step their request because the price has to move according to market mechanism.
He added that currently the price of rubber sheets is 50 baht a kilogram which is higher than 2015’s level so rubber farmers should be able to survive. As the price of rubber does adjust according to market demand, farmers were urged to stop meeting and making any moves.
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Top: Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha issuing orders to resolve low rubber price today. Photo: Voice TV
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