Kajohnjak Nuanphromsakul, Governor of the Rubber Authority of Thailand (RAOT), recently revealed that the Malaysian authorities have ordered the reopening of the Padang Besar checkpoint in Songkhla, in Thailand’s Sadao district, effective April 6 to allow the import of concentrated latex for its production of rubber gloves. Malaysia has also asked Thai authorities to assign less than 20 people to supervise the import operations, according to public health regulations. As one of the world’s leading producers of medical gloves, Malaysia relies on latex supplies from Thailand and will now require extra support as it tries to produce more gloves for medical frontliners in the COVID-19 pandemic.
Imports were initially suspended after Malaysia imposed its Movement Control Order (MCO) across the country, as part of its national efforts to tackle COVID-19. The MCO is due to last until April 28. However, with the latest order, Kajohnjak said the RAOT has informed Malaysia’s glove manufacturers and relevant authorities that exports will resume; Kajohnjak also said that the authority is working with the rubber and logistics sectors to find ways to continue exporting rubber to Malaysia.
Meanwhile, the RAOT is looking for new markets to help cushion the impacts of COVID-19 on rubber farmers and operators. Thai manufacturers are also increasing production due to high demand, which looks likely to surge further following the COVID-19 outbreak.