The Thai government has announced that local rubber prices have peaked at THB 90 per kilogram, the highest level in seven years. During his official visit to Germany, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin announced this remarkable development for Thai rubber farmers. He highlighted growing global demand for natural rubber and Thailand's ambition to increase productivity and exports.
Thailand is the largest exporter of condoms in the world
Thailand was the largest exporter of five major products in 2022: fresh durian, cassava, condoms, canned pineapple and canned tuna. Naiyanapakorn also points to the burgeoning global sex toy market and proposes processing Thai rubber reserves into sex toys, which would add to the revenue of the Thai rubber industry and bring additional income to the Thai rubber farmers.
Rubber innovations should save industry in Thailand (video)
There are more than 1 million farmers in Thailand who earn a living from the exploitation of rubber trees. Thailand is the world's largest producer of natural rubber, producing 4,7 million tons and exporting 3,8 million tons.
'Car tire manufacturers no longer want Thai rubber'
Well-known car tire manufacturers, such as Michelin and Bridgestone, threaten to stop buying rubber from Thai farmers because the quality is below par. The undersized rubber mainly comes from the North and Northeast.
Trade minister Apiradi returned empty-handed from Beijing last week. The sale of 1 million tons of rice and 200.000 tons of rubber has therefore failed. It has also failed to get China to buy more Thai agricultural products such as tapioca.
The rubber market in Thailand
Earlier this week we received a visit from five Thais from faraway Trang. Two couples and a daughter. One man is from my wife's village, if I understand it is the son of an aunt. He started looking for work years ago and found it as a rubber tapper in Trang.
Collapsed rubber price: Our hands are tied, says government
When the price of oil falls, buyers switch to synthetic rubber, which is much cheaper than natural rubber. This is the government's defense against rubber farmers who want the government to ease their financial concerns.
News from Thailand – December 10, 2014
Today in News from Thailand:
• Rubber farmers don't get their way; protest march next year
• Uber taxi company is no longer allowed to drive
• Tsunami commemoration 'Hold me tight' on 25 and 26 December
News from Thailand – October 17, 2014
Today in News from Thailand:
• More fighting between students; classes are suspended
• Illegal eateries at water reservoir will be demolished
• Moorings in Ayutthaya cause dust, smell and noise
News from Thailand – September 20, 2014
Today in News from Thailand:
• Illustrator and painter Prayat Pongdam (79) passed away
• Prayuth has to apologize again, this time for insult
• Sidewalks at Chatuchak weekend market swept clean
News from Thailand – August 27, 2014
Today in News from Thailand:
• Suspect dies; condom with drugs burst in his stomach
• Prayuth: Martial law is relaxed
• Car thieves pilloried on billboards
News from Thailand (2) – November 3, 2013
Today little news in News from Thailand:
• Rubber farmers end blockade, but highway remains closed
• Laos starts construction of the Don Sahong dam in the Mekong
• Klity Creek: Lead contamination study for recovery plan
News from Thailand – October 31, 2013
Today in News from Thailand:
• Local residents are tired of rubber farmers' road blockade Prachuap Khiri Khan
• 200 minivans blocking Phahon Yothin
• State Secretary for Finance: VAT will not go to 8 percent
News from Thailand – October 28, 2013
Today in News from Thailand:
• Loy Krathong celebrations postponed due to Supreme Patriarch's death
• Rubber farmers block highway to South
• Baby elephant abuse shocks animal lovers
News from Thailand – September 29, 2013
Today in News from Thailand:
• Credit rating Thailand remains unchanged at BBB+
• 'Sex workers help against rapes'
• Panda Lin Ping with 'Flight of Love' to China
News from Thailand – September 25, 2013
Today in News from Thailand:
• Proposal: Make Preah Vihear a mini-state à la Andorra
• Red Bull heir still on the run
• Opinion: Minister Plodprasop cannot be trusted
News from Thailand – September 21, 2013
Today in News from Thailand:
• Champion China dethroned; women's volleyball in final against Japan
• Comment: Thailand is heading for nightmare
• EU demands investment guarantees from Thailand in FTA talks
News from Thailand – September 20, 2013
Today in News from Thailand:
• Volleyball team competes against China in semi-final
• Screaming need for organ donors
• Dossier: Thailand is aging, birth rate 1,5
News from Thailand – September 19, 2013
Today in News from Thailand:
• Lab for DNA testing on rice will be operational in six months
• Tropical depression approaching Thailand
• Air traffic is affected by local radio stations
Police warn of arson and kidnapping
Protesting rubber farmers still occupy an intersection in Nakhon Si Thammarat. A police spokesman says they are threatening to set fire to government buildings and take senior officials hostage.
Protest rubber farmers degenerates into battle
The rubber farmers' protest in Nakhon Si Thammarat escalated into a full-blown battle yesterday, in which XNUMX policemen were injured, ten police cars were set on fire and two people were shot in the leg. The government is considering declaring a state of emergency.
News from Thailand – September 16, 2013
Today in News from Thailand:
• Citizens set up their own forum for 'just society'
• Plea for surveillance cameras in taxis
• Poppy cultivation is thriving like never before in Chiang Mai