PM Prayut defends the appointment of a general to head National Rubber Committee

[webfact]

PM defends the appointment of a general to head National Rubber Committee



BANGKOK: -- Prime Minister Prayut Chan-ocha today defended the appointment of an army general as chairman of the National Rubber Committee citing unusual prevailing situation.

He pointed out that there are too many rubber committees resulting to none of them are capable of solving any problems. Hence the appointment of an army general to head the National Rubber Committee.

The prime minister said that the military has its own way of solving rubber problems which is different from the civilian governments in the past which sat on the problems.

He said that the government intends to utilize research papers regarding the utilization of rubber products to determine how they could be used to resolve rubber surplus problem.

Four million tonnes of rubber are produced each year with the bulk of it normally exported. With the export prospect of rubber gloomy, the prime minister said that something must be done to deal with this rubber surplus.

Asked whether rubber growers in other regions besides the South will be given help, he said that the southerners would get help first although he was fully aware that all growers are suffering all the same.

He thanked northeastern rubber growers for being patient and understanding what the government has been doing.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/pm-defends-the-appointment-of-a-general-to-head-national-rubber-committee

-- Thai PBS 2016-01-14

[webfact]

Rubber Farmers Unhappy with Government Aid
BY JACOB MASLOW



BANGKOK: -- Rubber farmers in Thailand stated on Wednesday that the government’s attempt to help rubber producers deal with plummeting prices is not enough. Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha appointed Chatchalerm Chalermsuk as head of the Rubber Authority of Thailand on Tuesday in an attempt to help farmers sell their rubber.

The government also announced that they will buy rubber from farmers at prices that are higher than the market rate, and also announced that rubber processing factories will be built in Thailand to further stimulate the market.

Rubber farmers threatened to protest the government, and had massive support in Bangkok and the southern regions of Thailand.

Full story: http://ethailand.com/business-news/rubber-farmers-unhappy-with-government-aid/1357/

-- eThailand 2016-01-14

[candide]

Well, a general at the head of a national rubber committee, it's not worst than a general at the head of.... Oooops! I said nothing!

[Somtamnication]

Nothing strange here. Now if a general was appointed to the ice cream committee, then I would worry.

[NongKhaiKid]

LoS is a real life re-make of the old television comedy ' All In The Family ' but very few are laughing.

[deckape]

He has what I would call a dull, confused face.

[webfact]

PM promises to help rubber farmers fairly



BANGKOK, 14 January 2016 (NNT) – The Prime Minister has unveiled the government’s solution to the low rubber price issue, stressing that aid will be provided fairly to all regions.

Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha has said regarding the measures tackling the low rubber price issue that the government will initially provide assistance to farmers in the southern region, while the government is obligated to provide help in all regions.

According to the PM, the Deputy PM and Minister of Defence, Gen Prawit Wongsuwan, has been appointed to be in charge of commanding the procurement of rubber from the military and the Public Warehouse Organization at an appropriate price so farmers will be able to sustain themselves.

He stressed this measure is unlike the subsidiary scheme which might cause an oversupplying of rubber in stock, while rubber manufacturers will be provided with a certification of manufacturing standard from the Ministry of Industry and the Ministry of Science and Technology, enabling them to be qualified to sell products to government agencies.

The Thai PM also confirmed that there would be no changes to the Minister of Agriculture position as demanded by former House of Representative member from the Democrat party Thaworn Senniam, pointing that the rubber pricing issue was not caused from the minister himself, and the current minister has accomplished various tasks as appointed.

On the government’s measure to handle rubber price issue, the Royal Thai Army Commander-in-Chief Gen Teerachai Nakwanich has said that the army has been supporting farmers by utilizing rubber as a crucial material for constructing roads in the southern border areas, and the army will be utilizing rubber to manufacture mattresses and pillows for army camps nationwide.


-- NNT 2016-01-14

[rasmus5150]

[honoluludave]

What happen to, we have no money to buy rubber? Or if we start helping/subsidizing one group of farmers, we will have to help all the farmers?

[Swamp Thing]

Will the Rubber Committee have a flexible budget?

[bobmac10]

I recall Suthep made a very strong appeal to the government to buy rubber at above market price?

Good to see the army are going to supervise the fight against the law of supply and demand.

They will attack the international buyers of rubber and defend the elite families who struggle to sell their rubber at the prices they demand.

Chaaaaarge!

[clockman]

The general will make the price bounce back!

[Oziex1]

And the North Eastern rubber producers will get, what?

[graemeaylward]

So much for a "National" Rubber Committee! Someone should tell the self appointed PM that National means the whole country, i.e. ALL rubber farmers, not just his "mates" in the South. NE rubber farmers work just as hard as his cronies to produce the same crop! This guy is a disgrace!

[Eric Loh]

Another General. Another failure.

[Jimbo2014]

"The prime minister said that the military has its own way of solving rubber problems which is different from the civilian governments in the past which sat on the problems."

Does it involve use of a semi-automatic weapon?

[noosard]

Rubber bullets

[madpat]

What's so strange about this, this happens in all western countries jobs for the boys Blair, Cameron, Bush Clinton ,Obama they have all done to ensure when they get kicked out they have lucrative dinner talks Tec I have been coming to Thailand for 20 years or more and I still love the place no worse no better than anywhere else

[TKDfella]

Actually, this type of problem has surfaced in many countries before and it is difficult to solve. If the Thai rubber industry is an important part of the Thai economy then perhaps the PM ought to do what he can to protect it. Should it be nationalized or left in private hands? Years ago in Britain I remember car industries suffering from prices, competition etc where some got government help others didn't (Leyland, Austin etc.). I have no doubt that the American car industry had similar problems.

[klauskunkel]

thousands of committees

thousands of generals

no problem

[Caveat Emptor]

Another military man in a top job for which he has never had the training I suppose.

I wonder how all these generals, admirals etc are at handling military matters as they seem to be involved in everything but their ' day jobs ' ?

[pookiki]

Put the general in a rubber military suit to promote condom use. A special hat would do just fine!

[oneday]

"...unusual prevailing situation..."

...meaning he doesn't have to appoint someone who actually understands the rubber industry. He just wants someone who will follow orders and do his bidding.

[MZurf]

Great! Another general pulled off the golf course and put in a position he has no knowledge of. No wonder foreign investment is down 78%.

[slapout]

I* do not think relative experience or qualifications have hade any bearing on most of the appointments of personel over the past decade, so it can probably not get any worse. About the only way to improve is get rid of the bottom feeders that have been robbing the country blind.

[Eric Loh]

I* do not think relative experience or qualifications have hade any bearing on most of the appointments of personel over the past decade, so it can probably not get any worse. About the only way to improve is get rid of the bottom feeders that have been robbing the country blind.

You can't get rid of them. They come off the conveyor line by the dozens each year. In any crowd, just shout for "general" and a dozens faces will turn.

[JAG]

And the North Eastern rubber producers will get, what?

SFA. They are from the North East.

As the man pointed out they will understand, but perhaps not in the way intended.

[tracker1]

Its all legitimate ! it's been rubber stamped

[mrrizzla]

I'm sure glad all that nepotism and cronyism from that dastardly Thaksin regieme was foracbly removed...

oh....

I think even EnglishJohn will give this one a miss.

[tomacht8]

The rubber industry needs a true professional.
What he should know and what training he should have?
- Good would be a true marketing professional who knows his way around the world in all rubber products and in all markets.
- On the sales side, he should have as much contacts as possible with rubber processing companies worldwide.
- Also on the commodity futures exchanges, he should have a good understanding, because rubber is often traded on futures.
- A doctoral degree in chemical process engineering with a focus on rubber would be ideal.
The knowledge of production and application questions is very important for rubber products.
- Fluent English, analytical skills and the safe handling of IT are mandatory requirements.

I did not know, that some of Thailand's generals are so specially trained.