Rubber farmers ask for aid amid crunch

Rubber farmers across Thailand are appealing for government help following the sharp drop in the price of rubber, which has fallen from nearly 70 baht per kilogramme to just 48-50 baht in a matter of weeks.

- ASSAWIN PAKKAWAN

The sudden price drop has left farmers across the country struggling to cope with financial losses and reduced income.

One rubber tapper in Phathalung province expressed alarm the price had steadily dropped since early 2018.

“Rubber farmers are shocked by the sharp drop in prices, and at the same time, tapping is not being done fully, because there is still very little fresh latex,” he said. “The current price varies across purchasing stations, but it has dropped by around 10 baht per kg.”