3-nation forum urged to boost rubber prices
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PRIME Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha told Malaysia yesterday that a tripartite meeting should be held as soon as possible between Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia to find urgent ways to tackle the falling price of rubber.
The issue was discussed during a meeting between Prayut and Malaysian Defence Minister Hishammuddin Hussein at Government House.
Hishammuddin co-chaired the Thai-Malaysian General Border Committee with Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwan on Thursday.
Yesterday the Malaysian minister paid a courtesy call on Prayut.
Government spokesman Yongyuth Mayalarp quoted Prayut as saying that the tripartite meeting is urgently needed to find a joint measure to set rubber prices for farmers in the three countries.
Yongyuth said the host country for the meeting would be decided at a later date.
The Malaysian minister said he would convey the message to his prime minister and coordinate with the countries’ economic ministers on the matter.
At yesterday’s meeting, both sides discussed measures to restore peace in the deep South.
Prayut updated the minister on work being done by the Thai team to restore peace talks, as Malaysia will be the mediator of that process.
They also thanked each other for the assistance both countries gave when the other faced heavy flooding.
The spokesman said Prayut told Hishammuddin that he wanted Malaysia to take care of Thai workers in Malaysia.
After, Army chief General Udomdej Sitabutr led the guest and an entourage to the orchid fair near Government House. The fair was initiated by Prayut in order to promote Thai orchids and generate income for orchid growers.
The Malaysian minister was seen talking to vendors about the prices and types of orchids.
Udomdej told reporters that Prayut and Hishammuddin did not discuss the peace talks in the South in particular.
When asked whether the peace talks could be held in April, Udomdej said a detailed discussion was needed on the issue.
