Thai rubber growers demand higher price

SURAT THANI, Thailand, December 9 (TNA) - Rubber growers here who say they are in trouble due to the market price falling to 35 baht per kilogram petitioned the provincial governor Tuesday calling on the government to step in to shore up the rubber price. Growers from Wiang Sa district gathered at Surat Thani provincial hall presenting their letter to the prime minister through provincial governor Chatpong Chatphuti. They demanded that the government help push rubber prices to 80 baht per kilogram for rubber sheet, 80 baht per kilogram of rubber sheet and 30 baht per kilogram of scrap rubber. When the governor promised to forward the letter to the prime minister directly, the growers left the provincial hall. Elsewhere in the South, farmers in Trang province brought out rubber sheets and latex from their warehouse for sale at 35-36 baht per kilogram to make ends meet. They have kept the stock in vain for a few months awaiting a better price. Some farmers are either selling their rubber plantations or felling rubber trees to grow oil palm or other crops instead. A Trang rubber grower leader said farmers planned no road blockage yet but would await solutions from the government until the end of the month. (TNA)