Thailand has used more than 7,000 tonnes of rubber worth Bt358.6 million for road construction and repair projects under the Department of Rural Roads this year.
Department Chief Pisak Jitviriyavasin said that findings of research conducted by the department showed that a 5% concentration of latex rubber in the asphalt mixture for road construction and repair projects was most suitable.
Since 2013, the department has used a total of 22,659 tonnes of raw latex worth over Bt1.13 million for its road construction projects.
This year alone, the department has used 7,712 tonnes of raw latex worth Bt358.61 million for 557 road construction and repair projects nationwide, said Pisak.
Latex rubber helps improve the durability of roads, he said, helping them withstand heavier traffic than ordinary asphalt roads. This results in lower road maintenance costs. On top of this, he added, it assists rubber farmers facing falling rubber prices, and helps stabilise domestic rubber prices.
In the 2017 fiscal year, the department plans to use 7,530 tonnes of raw latex for its road projects in line with the government’s policy to help rubber farmers, said the department chief.