Rubber committee discusses growers’ demands; Protests continue for two weeks

BANGKOK, September 5 (TNA) - Thailand’s Natural Rubber Policy Committee on Thursday discussed demands made by protesting rubber growers for the government to guarantee a rubber price at 120 baht per kilogramme, while police beefed up security at government offices and airports in the South. The meeting, being held at the Government House, was jointly chaired by Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Kittirat Na-Ranong and Deputy Prime Minister and Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister Yukol Limlamthong. Several senior government officers from related agencies also attended the meeting in which its outcome would be further discussed by the cabinet for implementation, possibly next Tuesday. Meanwhile, protesters continued holding a marathon rally in the South Thursday, demanding the government to guarantee the price for unsmoked sheet rubber at 120 baht per kilogramme and for oil palm at 7 baht a kilogramme. Police beefed up security in the South, especially at governor office in Songkhla province and at the airport in Hat Yai district. Interior Minister Charupong Ruangsuwan said he had ordered governors in the South to help oversee important government offices and airports in the region. Mr. Charupong said authorities have to strictly enforce the law in cases where protesters cause hardships to the people. (TNA)