Rubber, palm growers block road in southern Thailand

PRACHUAP KHIRI KHAN, October 27 (TNA) - Rubber and palm growers from 16 southern provinces of Thailand on Sunday continued to block the main highway heading for the South, making several demands including raising rubber and palm prices from the government. The protesters blocked Petchakasem highway in a district of Prachuab Khiri Khan by using an 18-wheeled truck and placed tree branches in making their demands to the government. Police said the blockade forces motorists travelling to Bangkok or heading for the South to make a detour as they have to use an alternative route along the beach. Protesters have demanded the government to guarantee rubber and palm oil prices at 100 baht per kilogramme and six baht a kilogramme respectively, solving land ownership documents for the growers, appointing an authorised official to negotiate with them around noon Sunday, transfer police chief in Prachuap Khiri Khan, and not to take legal action against protesting leaders. They have threatened to block several other roads if the government does not negotiate with them, police said. No violence has been reported so far. Rubber and palm oil growers in the South disbanded last month after the government offered a subsidy package. However, the growers are not satisfied with the government assistance. (TNA)