Rubber and oil-palm protesters reopen road
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Rubber and oil-palm farm demonstrators from 16 southern provinces yesterday reopened the Bangkok-bound side of Prachuap Khiri Khan's Petchkasem Highway, but insisted they would continue to block the south-bound lanes in protest.
However, police cautioned drivers about using the six-kilometre section, saying that ongoing protests meant it was not safe, especially as there was no police presence in the area.
The protesters have blocked the four-lane road section at kilometre marker 415 in Chang Raek sub-district of Bang Saphan district since October 26, in an attempt to pressure the government to hike the rubber price to Bt100 per kilogram.
Yesterday’s meeting between Bang Saphan district chief Somporn Patchimpetch and protest leader Sahachai Somwong, led to both parties signing an agreement to have the two Bangkok-bound lanes opened by 11am. The group also urged administration officials to provide security for the protesters instead of police. Somporn promised to dispatch kamnans and village headmen, as well as volunteers, to the scene and nearby areas.
