Government plans to use more rubber latex in 2018

BANGKOK, July 8 (TNA) -- The Highways Department plans to use more rubber latex by as much as 9,000 tonnes in 2018 in an attempt to stabilise local rubber prices and help rubber growers, said Chirute Visalachitra, Inspector-General of the Transport Ministry. Mr Chirute said the ministry follows the government’s policy in encouraging government agencies to use more natural rubber and depend lesser on exports which could assist in stabilising its prices in the country. He said the Ministry’s Highways Department has conducted a study on the possibility of mixing natural rubber latex with asphalt in strengthening a road surface as well as using the rubber for the construction of bridges and other related activities. The Highways Department has planned to utilise 9,000 tonnes of rubber latex next year, said Mr Chirute, adding that he hoped the plan could improve the livelihood of rubber growers in Thailand. (TNA)