Rubber growers urged to accept Thai government's assistance

BANGKOK, September 14 (TNA) - The government has urged local rubber growers, especially those living in the Thai South, to accept its financial assistance at 2,520 baht per rai of rubber plantation and not to hold any renewed mass rally. Anusorn Eiamsa-ard, Deputy Spokesman of the ruling Puea Thai Party, made the call on Saturday (Sept 14), as updated reports said rubber farmers in the Thai South were planning a new rally despite the government's increased support, demanding that they want only either Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra or Deputy Prime Minister Pracha Promnog to ink the deal on the official assistance with them. Anusorn said Deputy Secretary-General to Premier Yingluck Police Major General Thawat Boonfueng had already traveled to meet rubber growers in Nakhon Si Thammarat Province in the Thai South and to inform them of the Cabinet’s decision on the increased financial assistance. According to the deputy spokesman, rubber growers in other Thai regions are satisfied with the government’s assistance; so the government hopes that rubber farmers in the South also accept the offer, too. Meanwhile, police in the southern Songkhla Province bordering Malaysia have mobilised forces at three key positions, including the road leading to Sadao customs checkpoint, the road leading to Hat Yai International Airport and in Chana District on concerns that local rubber growers may hold a new mass rally. The police announced that they will be manning the areas in full force for one week to prevent any untoward incident. (TNA)