Certainly, the problem of declining price is a result of the state of the world market. But the government also has a duty to help local farmers from being severely affected by the falling rubber prices.

In fact, this problem has been experienced by previous governments. It became heavily politicised during the tenure of Yingluck Shinawatra’s government. At that time, rubber farmers demanded the administration raise the rubber price to Bt120 a kilogram. They also took part in a street protest held by the People’s Democratic Reform Committee after the government failed to act. The price situation for rubber growers today is far worse, as the price is at a historic low.

In early 2015, Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwan said that it was “very easy” to raise the rubber price to Bt80 a kilo. He must have realised by now that it is easier said than done.

In fact, there are also other farm crops that are hit by the problem of low prices. If the government fails to solve the problem, growers of those crops are likely to take to the streets in the same way the rubber farmers are doing. The newly promulgated public gathering law alone is unlikely to discourage them from holding street protests. It is easy for people in real trouble to ignore a ban on public gatherings.

PDRC secretary-general Suthep Thaugsuban, who led the street protests against the previous government before the military takeover in May 2014, is also feeling the heat from this ongoing wrath of the rubber growers. They are calling for him to lead their protest – in the same way he did during the previous administration’s tenure. And they also asked him to make sacrifices in the same way he told them to do so.

Suthep, who said he has quit politics but still has offered political views and retained influence in the Democrat Party, reacted awkwardly to the call by the rubber growers. He did not make it clear if he wanted to lead their latest rally for higher rubber prices. But Suthep said that he was ready to “be at their side in finding ways to solve the problem”.

He also called on the rubber farmers to think carefully whether a street protest was necessary in their campaign. “I believe that the government has heard your call. The government also needs to make it clear that they have heard,” Suthep said.

It is no secret that Suthep has maintained close ties with the military. He often came out publicly to defend the military and the post-coup government led by General Prayut Chan-o-cha and his National Council for Peace and Order.

As it has turned out, Suthep has not led the rubber growers’ rally. Instead, he seems to be persuading them not to protest against the government.

However, his call for the government to buy rubber at Bt60 a kilo – as demanded by the growers – drew an abrupt denial from General Prayut, who responded angrily: “Tell me, where to get the money?”

As the price situation is getting worse, it will be increasingly difficult for Suthep to maintain a good balance between retaining support base among the rubber growers in the South and keeping good ties with the military.