BANGKOK, Nov 17 (TNA) — Representatives of natural rubber tree growers and the Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives Grisada Boonrach have agreed that the fastest measure to lift rubber prices in Thailand as well as overseas is to stop tapping rubber temporarily.
Concerned agencies have held a meeting, aimed at assisting rubber growers, and, according to Mr Grisada, enquiry will be made to growers nationwide whether they agree with this idea.
Rubber consumption globally is about 1.4 million tonnes monthly of which some 400,000 tonnes are from Thailand.
Rubber prices in Thailand are expected to rise if traders in futures market cannot find enough rubber in the overseas.
Local growers earn about 1,800 baht from selling rubber per rai monthly while the government would pay 2,000 baht per rai to them so that they could survive if they agree on ceasing rubber tapping.
Mr Grisada said Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-ocha had ordered every related government agency to fix prices for rubber to be used in making or repairing roads in the country.
Results are expected to be known next week. (TNA)
