Thailand Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha says that the government stands firm against giving rubber subsidies. He also warns that farmer may face legal charges if they stage a protest.
He said that the Thai government is taking different measures to deal with the rubber price slump. The government sticks to its policy of providing an initial aid of 1,500 baht per rai of rubber growing area and encouraging farmers to find alternative means of income.
“The government is building up a rubber city, a new rubber sheet making factory, to increase the use of rubber in road construction and pool lining. But can this happen overnight?” he said to the Bangkok Post.
The Prime Minister also said that the previous 150 million baht subsidy used during the Yingluck Shinawatra administration came from taxpayers. “That money came from taxpayers. So, should it be used to help one particular group again?” he said.
Various rubber growing communities are planning to stage protests against the Prime Minister’s decision. Kiitisak Wiroj, president of the rubber association in Surat Thani said his group will hold a protest on Tuesday outside the Rubber Authority of Thailand’s branch in the Trang province.