Police prevent clash between rubber growers, locals

PRACHUAP KHIRI KHAN, THAILAND, October 28 (TNA) - About 1,500 police officers have been deployed at a protest site of rubber growers in Prachuap Khiri Khan Province in the Upper Thai South to prevent any clash between the protesters and local people who oppose their rally. Prachuap Khiri Khan's provincial police chief Police Major General Thanet Sunthornsuk told reporters on Monday afternoon that there were reports some locals were angry with a road blockade by the protesting farmers and the police have, thus, been stationed to maintain order. Thai Deputy Prime Minister Pracha Promnok negotiated with the demonstrators in Prachuap Khiri Khan for three hours on Sunday, but they did not reach any agreement. The demonstrators have demanded that the Thai government raise the price of unsmoked rubber sheet to 100 baht per kilogram, stop importing palm oil, help the growers no matter whether they have land right documents for their plantations or not, transfer Prachuap Khiri Khan's police chief out of the province and spare demonstrators from criminal and civil prosecution. Police General Pracha said the farmers also proposed a tripartite committee comprising representatives of local growers, the government and concerned agencies, to work out comprehensive solutions. The Thai government has, meanwhile, demanded that the farmers end their protest in exchange for the formation of the committee. According to the deputy premier, he views the farmers have rallied because they are in trouble, but if they cause trouble to others with their road blockage, the provincial governor has legal authority to relieve the public difficulty. (TNA)