Leaders of rubber growers in the South met in Trang province on Tuesday for a meeting with the provincial governor and to discuss their demands that the government help increase the price of rubber.
About 30 representatives of southern rubber growers gathered at the Trang branch of the Rubber Authority of Thailand in Muang Trang district on Tuesday morning.
Record-low prices for rubber have left many of them in dire financial straits.
Trang governor Detrat Simasiri met their representatives at the provincial rubber office to hear their demands. Outside, about 50 soldiers, police and administrative officials stood guard.
The growers' agenda included wanting details of a 200,000-tonne rubber deal between the Rubber Authority of Thailand and Sinochem Co of China, quick action on the appointment of a new board at the authority, and financial assistance for rubber planters.
The farmers also want to talk directly with the prime minister or the agriculture minister.
The price of latex dropped from 60 baht per kilogramme in January 2014 to 45.50 baht in January 2015 and is now around 32 baht.
