The Rubber Authority of Thailand is rolling out an aggressive market management strategy to create price stability and push Thai rubber prices to new highs. Kosol Bunkhong, acting Governor of the Rubber Authority of Thailand (RTA), revealed that rubber prices showed consistent improvement throughout the first half of 2025. Grade 3 ribbed smoked sheets rose from an average of 60.51 baht per kilogram in January to a peak of 89.50 baht per kilogram in May, while latex rose from 56.92 baht to 86.50 baht per kilogram during the same period—marking the highest price increase in a decade.

Several factors are driving these gains. Strong global demand for natural rubber remains elevated, with the Association of Natural Rubber Producing Countries (ANRPC) predicting sustained strength in world markets. Global demand for natural rubber in 2025 is projected at approximately 15.60 million tons, while production stands at about 15.32 million tons, creating a supply shortage of roughly 280,000 tons. This demand-supply imbalance supports continued price growth, and Thailand remains the world's largest natural rubber producer with output of approximately 4.85 million tons.

Geopolitical tensions in the Middle East have also contributed to higher prices by pushing up crude oil costs and consequently synthetic rubber prices. Since synthetic rubber derives from petroleum, increased crude prices make it more expensive, prompting tire manufacturers and other industries—particularly in China and Europe—to shift toward cheaper natural rubber. Additionally, the weakened Thai baht relative to the US dollar enhances Thailand's competitive advantage in the global market.

During the second half of 2025, as the region transitions from the dry season to the rainy season and rubber trees flush with new leaves, farmers will begin tapping trees more frequently, which could affect prices somewhat. However, sustained international demand to replenish depleted stocks and potential weather impacts that could reduce output are expected to maintain market balance and support prices at appropriate levels.

The RTA is employing an active market management strategy to stabilize conditions and maximize Thai rubber prices. This includes holding back portions of farmer production through storage and deploying 80% of the value in rotating credit to maintain liquidity, with strategic sales timed for peak prices through RTA-controlled distribution channels.

How could the driver not notice? A ten-wheeler truck shed a heavy 485-kilogram air compressor in the middle of the road before continuing on without realizing what happened. The municipality has been stuck storing it while waiting for the owner to claim it. The equipment's value is nothing to sneeze at—between 80,000 and 100,000 baht.

At 4:00 PM on May 20, 2569, Bang Len Municipality in Nonthaburi Province contacted reporters requesting help publicizing the search for the owner of the large air compressor found on the Bang Kruai-Sai Noi Road near the Bang Yai roundabout in Bang Len Subdistrict, Bang Yai District, Nonthaburi Province. The incident occurred at 10:30 AM on May 20, 2569.

Upon inspection, the air compressor that fell in the roadway measured 80 centimeters wide, 80 centimeters tall, and 120 centimeters long, weighing 485 kilograms and painted red. It was estimated to be worth between 80,000 and 100,000 baht. The location where the compressor was found on the Bang Kruai-Sai Noi Road showed impact damage and oil stains. Municipality staff had to spread sand over the oil residue to prevent the road from becoming slippery.

Footage from the closed-circuit camera at the Bang Yai roundabout captured a white ten-wheeler truck traveling from Bang Len-Bang Khurada Road, passing through the Bang Yai roundabout for approximately 10 meters on a curve, which caused the air compressor to fall from the truck bed. Fortunately, no motorcycles following behind were hit.

At 10:23 AM, Bang Len Municipality staff deployed a red pickup truck to partially close the road and prevent accidents. They then requested help from an 18-wheel trailer truck passing by to drag the air compressor to the roadside due to its heavy weight. Bang Len Municipality staff brought a ten-wheeler truck and crane to lift the compressor onto the truck bed for storage at the municipality.

Bang Len Municipality has issued a public notice searching for the air compressor's owner to contact the municipality at Bang Len Municipality, Bang Yai District, Nonthaburi Province to claim it.

Relatives wept uncontrollably as they received the body of Aunt Tiem, a victim of the tragic train crash, back to her hometown in Prang Ku District, Sisaket Province. Her sister nearly collapsed when she saw her younger sibling being carried from the vehicle.

The horrifying accident occurred when a freight train collided with Bus Route 206 at the railway crossing near the Asok-Phetchburi intersection on Kamphaeng Phet Road 7 in Bangkok on the afternoon of May 15th. The crash killed eight people and injured many others. One of the victims was Ms. Tiem Phuang Yod, known as Aunt Tiem, age 57, from Prang Ku District, Sisaket Province.

At 7:55 PM on May 20th, 2569, Aunt Tiem's body was brought back to her birthplace at Ban Don Kratai, Samo Subdistrict, Prang Ku District, Sisaket Province. The atmosphere was filled with profound sorrow as relatives, friends, and townspeople gathered in large numbers to receive her. The moment the vehicle arrived at the house, the sound of wailing from relatives erupted immediately, with some collapsing to the ground in grief. Aunt Tiem's fifth younger sister held incense and walked forward, tearfully telling her departed sister: "You're finally home," to inform her spirit that she had returned to her birthplace.

After that, relatives and officials carefully carried Aunt Tiem's body from the vehicle amid continuous sobbing before placing it at the ceremonial area prepared inside the house. The family brought rice, fish, food, alcohol, medicine, sweets, flowers, incense, and candles to perform the spirit-calling ceremony according to Northeastern Thai tradition, inviting the deceased's spirit to enter the next realm peacefully and worry-free.

The atmosphere was filled with sorrow, particularly as "Aunt Joum," the deceased's sister, cried heartbrokenly the moment she saw her younger sister's body being removed from the vehicle. Other relatives had to support her as she was overwhelmed with grief.

After the spirit-calling ceremony, relatives performed ritual water pouring on the body, asked for forgiveness, and placed Aunt Tiem's body in a coffin before performing chanting ceremonies according to tradition, with the sound of monks' prayers intensifying the sorrowful atmosphere.

Reporters further noted that relatives plan to hold merit-making and funeral chanting for two nights, with family and townspeople continuing to pay their respects, followed by the cremation ceremony this Saturday according to tradition.

The first night of a merit-making ceremony was held on May 20 at Suan Sawan Temple in Pibul District, Ubon Ratchathani Province, for Ms. Wipharaksa, known as Nong Rose, age 25, who died in a train-bus collision on May 16. Provincial officials Sarachai Khrongyut and Dr. Sirima Methvadi Sirthanitra presided over the ceremony attended by numerous family members and friends of the deceased.

Ms. Pawrisa, Rose's close friend from high school, recalled their last meeting during Songkran, when they discussed travel plans for the coming year. She described Rose as someone living a normal, promising life with remarkable talents and abilities. "Thank you for being our friend," Pawrisa said. "Since there are no miracles left, I just hope our friend will be free from pain and illness."

The merit-making ceremony for Ms. Wipharaksa is scheduled for three days, with today being the first day. The funeral will take place on Saturday, May 23.

Walk-in interviews and on-the-spot hiring will be held on Saturday, June 6, 2025 at 9:00 AM at Ratchadamri MRT Station in the commercial zone serving the Orange Line, located between Thai Cultural Center and Minburi stations. Technician positions are open for work across multiple systems: rail and maintenance vehicles, signaling and platform screen doors, communications, electrical systems and data control, fare collection systems, track and infrastructure, water pumping systems, fire safety systems, lighting and signage, and underground ventilation and escalators. Interested applicants should pre-register via QR code at https://forms.gle/cxaMQXgE2m72KAPQ8. For more information, contact the Recruitment and Employment Department at 02-3542000, extensions 183101-183108.