Thailand expects 25 percent loss of rubber production in December due to storms

Bangkok, Thailand – The Rubber Authority of Thailand (RAOT) has reported that heavy rains across Southern Thailand are impacting rubber plantations, affecting over 5.5 million rai across 11 provinces. This is expected to result in a loss of 140,000 tons of rubber production in December.

Mr. Sukthat Tangwiriyakul, Acting Governor of the RAOT, stated that the continuous heavy rain has caused flooding in many districts across 11 provinces: Chumphon, Ranong, Surat Thani, Krabi, Trang, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Narathiwat, Pattani, Phatthalung, Yala, and Songkhla. The RAOT’s Rubber Economic Research Division has analyzed data on the affected rubber plantation areas using rainfall data from the Meteorological Department’s radar. Thunderstorms and light to moderate rainfall have impacted rubber plantations in these provinces, with an estimated 5,592,621 rai of plantations opened for tapping. This has led to a loss of over 142,963 tons, or 24.75 percent, of the area’s rubber production for December 2024 due to the weather conditions, which have prevented farmers from tapping rubber and damaged tapping equipment. Some areas are also flooded and awaiting drainage, potentially leading to a rubber supply shortage.

Mr. Sukthat added that he has instructed the RAOT in all affected areas to urgently provide assistance by distributing relief bags containing rice, dried food, and essential items to the victims. They are also preparing lunch boxes and drinking water for communities and hospitals, setting up shelters with food, drinks, prayer rooms, and toilets for the victims, and coordinating with other government agencies and disaster relief units. Once the situation normalizes, the RAOT will inspect the condition of the rubber plantations registered with them. If the plantations are damaged or more than 20 rubber trees per plot are affected, the RAOT will allocate funds from the Rubber Development Fund, Section 49(5), to assist rubber farmers, with a maximum of 3,000 baht per person. Additionally, there is a loan fund available to alleviate the suffering of rubber farmers, offering up to 50,000 baht per person, interest-free throughout the contract.