PHUKET: One protester was shot dead and another seriously wounded as a peaceful protest by rubber plantation workers exploded into violence early today.
The Governor of Nakhon Si Thammarat, Wiroj Jiwarangsan, told the media today that political conflicts were now complicating the protest.
He said he had asked to be stood down as governor.
About four shots were fired at 3am today at the Cha-uat district of the province, which has been in a state of turmoil all week.
Sirichai Boonnuwong, 30, fell dead instantly when struck with shots to the eye and chest. Sithisak Jainag, 28, was seriously injured.
A group of armed men were reported to be responsible. The shooting means more police may be called up to the trouble zone, where a detachment from Phuket is already among officers delegated to restore the peace.
Hundreds of planters and workers have been staging protests around the rubber-planting province in the hope that Thailand's government will intervene to prop up prices.
The protests were likely to spread to Trang province today. So far there have been no signs of trouble in the tourist provinces where rubber is grown, Phuket, Phang Nga and Krabi.
The global economic downturn has cut rubber demand and dragged benchmark smoked rubber sheet from a record high of US$6.40 per kilogram in February 2011 to US$2.80 in mid-2012. Prices now are generally even lower.
Thailand's government has declined to prop up the industry. Thailand tried recently to control the international price by hoarding rice and finding itself outmanoeuvered by other rice-selling nations.
Protests so far have involved blocking train lines and railroads but a much larger protest was being planned for Tuesday.
The Governor of Nakhon Si Thammarat, Wiroj Jiwarangsan, told the media today that political conflicts were now complicating the protest.
He said he had asked to be stood down as governor.
About four shots were fired at 3am today at the Cha-uat district of the province, which has been in a state of turmoil all week.
Sirichai Boonnuwong, 30, fell dead instantly when struck with shots to the eye and chest. Sithisak Jainag, 28, was seriously injured.
A group of armed men were reported to be responsible. The shooting means more police may be called up to the trouble zone, where a detachment from Phuket is already among officers delegated to restore the peace.
Hundreds of planters and workers have been staging protests around the rubber-planting province in the hope that Thailand's government will intervene to prop up prices.
The protests were likely to spread to Trang province today. So far there have been no signs of trouble in the tourist provinces where rubber is grown, Phuket, Phang Nga and Krabi.
The global economic downturn has cut rubber demand and dragged benchmark smoked rubber sheet from a record high of US$6.40 per kilogram in February 2011 to US$2.80 in mid-2012. Prices now are generally even lower.
Thailand's government has declined to prop up the industry. Thailand tried recently to control the international price by hoarding rice and finding itself outmanoeuvered by other rice-selling nations.
Protests so far have involved blocking train lines and railroads but a much larger protest was being planned for Tuesday.
Very smart. Killing people will make the world buy rubber more expensive and is for sure the best way to get the government to pay higher substitutes.
Posted by Jakub on September 1, 2013 12:14