BANGKOK – The Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives accepted a proposal to improve compensation for rubber farmers.
Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives Jintana Chaiyawannakarn joined a meeting with representatives of rubber farmers from six provinces, including Nakhon Si Thammarat, Songkhla, Surat Thani, Trang, Satun, and Krabi.
Rubber farmers have proposed that the assistance program be simplified in order to expedite its access. They also asked the government to provide rubber processing machinery. Mrs. Jintana is expected to investigate why rubber machinery is still among their list of demands, despite previous donations of equipment by the government. Another meeting is expected to be held again between both parties to discuss other needs.
The representatives expressed dissatisfaction with the meeting and decided to hold roundtable talks without public officials until late at night on Sunday.
However, they assured that they will not pressure the government to meet their demands by either blocking roads or stirring political unrest.
