Thai government speeds up assisting rubber growers

BANGKOK, January 11 (TNA) - The Thai government, through agencies concerned, including the Ministries of Agriculture and Cooperatives and Commerce, is accelerating implementing measures to cushion natural rubber prices to assist local growers. The Thai Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, for instance, is scheduled to hold meetings to discuss solutions to the current low rubber prices to quickly assist local rubber growers. Permanent Secretary for Agriculture and Cooperatives Teerapat Prayoonsit told journalists on Monday, after chairing a meeting, that his ministry plans to promote more rubber consumption in the country and encourage Thai rubber growers to also do alternative farming in their plantations to secure their income. Teerapat said he views that integrated farming should be a way out, as Thailand is unable to do anything with fluctuating rubber prices on the world market. Teerapat stressed that his ministry is speeding up the implementation of measures the Thai government has already approved to assist local rubber growers. Amnuay Patise, Adviser to Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister General Chatchai Sarikulya, told reporters that concerned authorities are now scheduled to discuss rubber issues every day to speed up assistance for local rubber growers, promising that rubber growers’ demands that could be realized would be met. A source at the Ministry of Commerce revealed, meanwhile, that commercial attachés will be assigned to promote and sell Thai rubber products in countries where they are stationed. Besides, local officials will, on the other hand, promote processed rubber products, including rubber mattresses and pillows, at department stores nationwide, while community enterprises will be asked to develop their products from rubber. (TNA)