PRACHUAP KHIRI KHAN, Oct 31 – Provincial police have been unsuccessful in dispersing rubber and oil palm farmer demonstrators blocking the major road to Thailand’s South for the last five days.
More than 2,500 uniformed and plainclothes police officers were assigned to the rally site between Km 415 and Km 416 of Petchkasem Road, in Bang Saphan Noi district, Prachuap Khiri Khan to deal with the protesters to open the road to motorists.
Police using loudspeakers, urged protesters to end their rally and used a chain saw to cut a big tree which blocked traffic on the road.
A group of teenagers fired bolts and nuts, glass balls and lead bullets at policemen with their slingshots, after which police retreated and halted the dispersal operation.
Police remained on duty near the rally site last night.
Rubber and oil palm farmers have demonstrated, blocking Petchkasem Road demanding government intervention in the falling prices of rubber and palm. (MCOT online news)
