Deputy Prime Minister Pridiyathorn Devakula admitted yesterday the government's attempts to tackle falling rubber prices have been slowed by bureaucratic red tape.
However, he said he was sure local rubber prices would soon pick up after a cabinet meeting today where ministers will debate a plan for local industries to buy more rubber to shore up the price.
The comments from MR Pridiyathorn, also known by his nickname of Mom Oui, came after rubber farmers from four districts of Surat Thani threatened to rally in front of the provincial hall today to pressure the government to raise rubber prices to at least 80 baht per kilogramme for rubber sheet.
Rubber growers from other provinces are also moving to mobilise farmers to step up pressure against the government.
The farmers complained that rubber prices have fallen sharply and they could sell three kilogrammes of rubber for just 100 baht.
MR Pridiyathorn said the government had come up with a plan to boost rubber prices through three major buyers − farmer cooperatives, the Rubber Estate Organisation, and private rubber processing operators.
But due to bureaucratic obstacles, the buying had not gone as planned, he said.
The deputy prime minister said the cooperatives started buying in October while the rubber organisation started their purchases 10 days ago.
The government is today expected to approve the buying plan by local industries.
"These three major buyers are supposed to work simultaneously but in practice they are not. If things went as planned, rubber prices would have gone up by now.
"It has been slow because of the bureaucratic procedures involved. I am getting tired [of the red tape] too," he said.
However, he said the price would not be as high as the 80 baht/kg as demanded by rubber farmers. Moreover, rubber supply is now low with rubber production standing at 3 million tonnes, not 4 million tonnes as it had been in previous years, he said.
MR Pridiyathorn also played down the protest by rubber farmers, saying the government and rubber farmers had held talks and understood each other.
Deputy Agriculture Minister Amnuay Patise said yesterday a total of 16 measures worth 58 billion baht, including three short-term measures, are being put into place to help the farmers.
Mr Amnuay said he will help push for more progress on the three short-term measures which are a cash subsidy of 1,000 baht per rai, the buying of rubber by the rubber organisation, and interest-free small loans to growers so they can start a second career.
"I don't deny the fact that these measures are not functioning fully. There are some obstacles in the implementation process but that doesn't mean these measures will fail. I'm here to help make them work faster. We should start to see the results in a week," he said.
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha yesterday called on rubber farmers to halt their protest plan and promised to send officials to discuss the issue of falling prices with them.
"This issue needs to be discussed. We'll send someone there," he said when asked about the planned rally in front of Surat Thani provincial hall.