TRANG - A group of rubber growers in southern Thailand has demanded the government meet four conditions within a week if it does not want to face more mass protests.
Southern rubber farmers' representatives say there will be more protests if the government fails to meet their demands.
Their demands include guaranteed payments of 90 baht a kilogramme - 25% above current market prices - for smoked rubber sheets starting from Friday.
About 30 representatives of rubber farmers from 14 southern provinces outlined their case at a news conference at the Wattana Park Hotel in Trang province on Saturday afternoon.
In addition to guaranteeing the 90-baht price starting next week, the government must find a way prevent the rubber price from falling below 100 baht a kilogramme within three to four months, said Theerapong Tantipetcharaporn, vice-president of the Rubber Farmers' Network.
As well, he said, the government must collect the levy on rubber exports, known as cess, as usual.
The Agriculture Ministry proposed to suspend cess collection from Monday until the end of the year to help support prices.
Rubber exporters normally are taxed at 2 baht per kilogramme of exported rubber to contribute to the Rubber Replanting Aid Fund.
The farmers' fourth demand is that authorities must not take legal action against the protesters across the country, said Mr Theerapong.
Blockades of roads and railways in the South caused severe transport disruptions last week, while a clash between protesters and police turned violent with 10 injuries.
"If the government fails to follow the four demands, rubber farmers will protest in every province to apply pressure and obstruct rubber exports," he said.
After the government agreed with their demands, representatives from each side would meet again, he added.