Rubber protesters, govt in tense talks

The ongoing protests by rubber farmers in several southern provinces have hit logistical networks and the tourism industry in several areas adjacent to the rally sites, halting bus services as well as the transport of frozen seafood products. The authorities are worried that protesters might seize airports in four provinces where they are rallying.
Senior officials held a tense negotiation with a group representing rubber farmers yesterday as part of government efforts to end the rallies. Both sides met at the government complex in northern Bangkok, after 20 people representing four groups of rubber farmers based in Nakhon Si Thammarat agreed to seek an end to the problem through talks. The farmers are demanding that the government intervene to raise the price of raw rubber sheets.
Other groups of protesters, including those based in Surat Thani where the largest protests are taking place, refused to join the meeting with the 20-member delegation, which was flown to Bangkok on a specially chartered flight.
Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra held an urgent meeting with her three deputies at about 2pm at Government House yesterday, where they discussed the problems caused by the large-scale rallies. The talks with the protest delegation then began at 6pm, an hour later than scheduled, and continued behind closed doors into late evening, and beyond press time.
 Fears that the protesters would seize Surat Thani Airport proved unfounded when they decided merely to camp out in its compound. However, the airports in Nakhon Si Thammarat, Krabi and Trang are still a subject of worry and authorities fear a repeat of the situation in 2008, when airports in Phuket, Krabi and Hat Yai were seized by yellow-shirt protesters.
So far, the disruption at Krabi Airport has caused 20 tourists to miss their flights, Chamnan Srisawas, chief of the Krabi tourism association said, as he called on protesters to stop blocking roads leading to the airport, especially the Tham Sua intersection.

In Ranong, 50 operators were forced to cancel the delivery of frozen seafood in 300 trucks due to the roadblocks.
Meanwhile, the Association of Domestic Travel (ADT) yesterday called on the government to quickly resolve this problem as it has already incurred up to Bt100 million in losses for the tourism industry, affecting both hoteliers and small and big tourist operations. ADT president Yutthachai Soonthronrattana-vate said an open letter would be issued to the government within four days detailing the damage done to the tourism sector if no progress is made.
The five bus routes running to and from Hat Yai to the four affected provinces have been put on hold until further notice, though private vans are still running and manage to avoid the roadblocks by using shortcuts. The 10 train services to and from Bangkok to the affected provinces have also been put on hold, which in turn has affected the postal service.
Deputy Transport Minister Prin Suvanadat said protesters had set up seven roadblocks, which affected Route 4 in the South and a section of Route 3 in Rayong. Commuters or motorists seeking information on alternate transport services or shortcuts can contact the following hotlines: 1356 for road safety; 1193 for highway police; 1586 for highways department service; and 1490 for the Transport Company.
A small group of protesters from Phatthalung were the latest to join the partial blockade of the road leading to Trang and more farmers are expected to join them from Trang itself.