Discontent among southern rubber farmers against the government has grown even as the government explained it has done its best to ease their woes stemming from plummeting rubber prices.
Government spokesman Sansern Kaewkamnerd said on Monday it was imperative that farmers understand world rubber prices were dictated by economic factors such as interest rates and oil prices.
“We have provided credits to be used as revolving funds for rubber planters’ groups and for rubber processors to buy latex directly from farmers,” he said.
Loans have also been extended and a buffer stock set up to stabilise prices in order to sustainably solve the problem.
“Farmers are also advised to grow other crops, especially those with yields all year round and generate more incomes,” said Lt Gen Sansern.
Although world rubber demand remains strong, Thailand exports it mostly as a commodity, making farmers vulnerable to world’ s price swing. Adding value is necessary and the government has set up a rubber city and promote more domestic use of the product, he added.
“The prime minister is convinced the worst was already behind us, with exports and crude prices picking up.”
In the first five months of this year, exports of natural rubber jumped 63.6% to $2.8 billion. Rubber product exports such as tyres and gloves also surged 59% to $4 billion and the momentum continues, he said.
But southern farmers are taking issue with Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, who said last week 3 million rai of forests had been encroached to grow rubber trees, resulting in a glut.
Sunthorn Rakrong, secretary-general of the Rubber Planters network of Thailand and chairman of the rubber farmers in 16 southern provinces, expressed their resentment on Facebook on Monday.
In a public post addressed to Gen Prayut, Mr Sunthorn wrote the prevailing low rubber prices had nothing to do with forest encroachment.
“It might be the case three years ago, when rubber prices hit rock bottom. Normally, 400,000 rai of rubber trees are felled each year and new trees are grown in its place. Some farmers have already chosen to replace them with other crops such as palm or durian trees, while some fell rubber trees voluntarily because of the unappealing prices. The trend resulted in dwindling acreage of rubber trees.
“Thailand’s rubber output has been on the downward trend -- from 4.57 million tonnes in 2014 to 4.47 million in 2015 and 4.45 million in 2016,” he wrote.
“The trend will continue this year but world rubber demand has not declined. So what’s the root of the problem? The government has to identify it. Do your people work effectively? Are they sufficiently competent? If they can’t do the job, move over and let good, competent people take their place.
“You're now pushing friends to become enemies. Not to mention your real enemy is now lying low. If they emerge to join us, be careful. From the good guy, you could easily become the bad guy. From the reform soldier, you could turn into the tyrant.
“I’ll talk straightforwardly to you like this for the last time. For from now on, rubber farmers will not tolerate any further. If this anger you because it’s not sweet talk, it’s up to you. After all, you’ve never heard the voice of the poor anyway,” he wrote.