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  • 08 JULY 2014 - WANG NAM SAP, SUPHAN BURI, THAILAND: Warehouse workers climb down a wall of rice sacks while helping the army inspect rice at a rice warehouse in Wang Nam Sap, Suphan Buri province. Representatives of the Thai ruling junta have started inspecting stocks of rice bought by the ousted civilian government following the 2012 and 2013 rice harvests. The government of ousted former Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra bought up thousands of tons of rice from farmers at above market prices in one of its most controversial populist policies. The alleged mismanagement of the "rice pledging scheme," as it was called, was one of the factors that lead to the May 2014 coup that ousted the government. According to officials doing the inspections found rotten and weevil-infested grain, along with evidence that large stocks were replaced with old or inferior grades.     PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    RiceInspections021.jpg
  • 15 NOVEMBER 2012 - PATHUM THANI, PATHUM THANI, THAILAND:  A woman sews up a bag of rice that split open in a rice warehouse in Pathum Thani. Each bag weighs 100 kilos. The Thai government under Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has launched an expansive price support "scheme" for rice farmers. The government is buying rice from farmers and warehousing it until world rice prices increase. Rice farmers, the backbone of rural Thailand, like the plan, but exporters do not because they are afraid Thailand is losing its position as the world's #1 rice exporter to Vietnam, which has significantly improved the quality and quantity of its rice. India is also exporting more and more of its rice. The stockpiling of rice is also leading to a shortage of suitable warehouse space. The Prime Minister and her government face a censure debate and possible no confidence vote later this month that could end the scheme or bring down the government.   PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    RicePricingScheme030.jpg
  • 15 NOVEMBER 2012 - PATHUM THANI, PATHUM THANI, THAILAND:  Workers stack bags of rice bought from local farmers by the Thai government in a rice warehouse in Pathum Thani. Each bag weighs 100 kilos. The Thai government under Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has launched an expansive price support "scheme" for rice farmers. The government is buying rice from farmers and warehousing it until world rice prices increase. Rice farmers, the backbone of rural Thailand, like the plan, but exporters do not because they are afraid Thailand is losing its position as the world's #1 rice exporter to Vietnam, which has significantly improved the quality and quantity of its rice. India is also exporting more and more of its rice. The stockpiling of rice is also leading to a shortage of suitable warehouse space. The Prime Minister and her government face a censure debate and possible no confidence vote later this month that could end the scheme or bring down the government.   PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    RicePricingScheme032.jpg
  • 15 NOVEMBER 2012 - PATHUM THANI, PATHUM THANI, THAILAND: Workers stack bags of rice bought from local farmers by the Thai government in a rice warehouse in Pathum Thani. Each bag weighs 100 kilos. The Thai government under Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has launched an expansive price support "scheme" for rice farmers. The government is buying rice from farmers and warehousing it until world rice prices increase. Rice farmers, the backbone of rural Thailand, like the plan, but exporters do not because they are afraid Thailand is losing its position as the world's #1 rice exporter to Vietnam, which has significantly improved the quality and quantity of its rice. India is also exporting more and more of its rice. The stockpiling of rice is also leading to a shortage of suitable warehouse space. The Prime Minister and her government face a censure debate and possible no confidence vote later this month that could end the scheme or bring down the government.    PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    RicePricingScheme027.jpg
  • 15 NOVEMBER 2012 - PATHUM THANI, PATHUM THANI, THAILAND: Workers stack bags of rice bought from local farmers by the Thai government in a rice warehouse in Pathum Thani. Each bag weighs 100 kilos. The Thai government under Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has launched an expansive price support "scheme" for rice farmers. The government is buying rice from farmers and warehousing it until world rice prices increase. Rice farmers, the backbone of rural Thailand, like the plan, but exporters do not because they are afraid Thailand is losing its position as the world's #1 rice exporter to Vietnam, which has significantly improved the quality and quantity of its rice. India is also exporting more and more of its rice. The stockpiling of rice is also leading to a shortage of suitable warehouse space. The Prime Minister and her government face a censure debate and possible no confidence vote later this month that could end the scheme or bring down the government.    PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    RicePricingScheme019.jpg
  • 15 NOVEMBER 2012 - PATHUM THANI, PATHUM THANI, THAILAND:  Workers unload trucks of rice bought from local farmers by the Thai government in a rice warehouse in Pathum Thani. The Thai government under Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has launched an expansive price support "scheme" for rice farmers. The government is buying rice from farmers and warehousing it until world rice prices increase. Rice farmers, the backbone of rural Thailand, like the plan, but exporters do not because they are afraid Thailand is losing its position as the world's #1 rice exporter to Vietnam, which has significantly improved the quality and quantity of its rice. India is also exporting more and more of its rice. The stockpiling of rice is also leading to a shortage of suitable warehouse space. The Prime Minister and her government face a censure debate and possible no confidence vote later this month that could end the scheme or bring down the government.   PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    RicePricingScheme017.jpg
  • 15 NOVEMBER 2012 - PATHUM THANI, PATHUM THANI, THAILAND:  A worker keeps track of government purchased rice brought into a rice warehouse in Pathum Thani. The Thai government under Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has launched an expansive price support "scheme" for rice farmers. The government is buying rice from farmers and warehousing it until world rice prices increase. Rice farmers, the backbone of rural Thailand, like the plan, but exporters do not because they are afraid Thailand is losing its position as the world's #1 rice exporter to Vietnam, which has significantly improved the quality and quantity of its rice. India is also exporting more and more of its rice. The stockpiling of rice is also leading to a shortage of suitable warehouse space. The Prime Minister and her government face a censure debate and possible no confidence vote later this month that could end the scheme or bring down the government.   PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    RicePricingScheme011.jpg
  • 15 NOVEMBER 2012 - PATHUM THANI, PATHUM THANI, THAILAND:  Workers unload trucks of rice bought from local farmers by the Thai government in a rice warehouse in Pathum Thani. The Thai government under Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has launched an expansive price support "scheme" for rice farmers. The government is buying rice from farmers and warehousing it until world rice prices increase. Rice farmers, the backbone of rural Thailand, like the plan, but exporters do not because they are afraid Thailand is losing its position as the world's #1 rice exporter to Vietnam, which has significantly improved the quality and quantity of its rice. India is also exporting more and more of its rice. The stockpiling of rice is also leading to a shortage of suitable warehouse space. The Prime Minister and her government face a censure debate and possible no confidence vote later this month that could end the scheme or bring down the government.   PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    RicePricingScheme009.jpg
  • 15 NOVEMBER 2012 - PATHUM THANI, PATHUM THANI, THAILAND: A worker in a rice warehouse in Pathum Thani checks the quality of rice being stored there. The rice was bought by the Thai government under the rice pricing program, called the "pledging scheme." The Thai government under Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has launched an expansive price support "scheme" for rice farmers. The government is buying rice from farmers and warehousing it until world rice prices increase. Rice farmers, the backbone of rural Thailand, like the plan, but exporters do not because they are afraid Thailand is losing its position as the world's #1 rice exporter to Vietnam, which has significantly improved the quality and quantity of its rice. India is also exporting more and more of its rice. The stockpiling of rice is also leading to a shortage of suitable warehouse space. The Prime Minister and her government face a censure debate and possible no confidence vote later this month that could end the scheme or bring down the government.    PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    RicePricingScheme003.jpg
  • 02 SEPTEMBER 2014 - BO THONG, CHONBURI, THAILAND: A warehouse worker at Bothong Rubber Fund Cooperative in Bo Thong, Chonburi, Thailand, stacks rubber sheets bought from farmers in a warehouse at the cooperative. Thailand is the leading rubber exporter in the world. In the last two years, the price paid to rubber farmers has plunged from approximately 190 Baht per kilo (about $6.10 US) to 52 Baht per kilo (about $1.60 US). It costs about 65 Baht per kilo to produce rubber ($2.05 US). A rubber farmer in southern Thailand committed suicide over the weekend, allegedly because the low prices meant he couldn't provide for his family. Other rubber farmers have taken jobs in the construction trade or in Bangkok to provide for their families during the slump.    PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    ThaiRubberCrisis042.jpg
  • 08 JULY 2014 - WANG NAM SAP, SUPHAN BURI, THAILAND: Warehouse workers climb down a wall of rice sacks while helping the army inspect rice at a rice warehouse in Wang Nam Sap, Suphan Buri province. Representatives of the Thai ruling junta have started inspecting stocks of rice bought by the ousted civilian government following the 2012 and 2013 rice harvests. The government of ousted former Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra bought up thousands of tons of rice from farmers at above market prices in one of its most controversial populist policies. The alleged mismanagement of the "rice pledging scheme," as it was called, was one of the factors that lead to the May 2014 coup that ousted the government. According to officials doing the inspections found rotten and weevil-infested grain, along with evidence that large stocks were replaced with old or inferior grades.     PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    RiceInspections002.jpg
  • 15 NOVEMBER 2012 - PATHUM THANI, PATHUM THANI, THAILAND:  Workers unload trucks of rice bought from local farmers by the Thai government in a rice warehouse in Pathum Thani. The Thai government under Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has launched an expansive price support "scheme" for rice farmers. The government is buying rice from farmers and warehousing it until world rice prices increase. Rice farmers, the backbone of rural Thailand, like the plan, but exporters do not because they are afraid Thailand is losing its position as the world's #1 rice exporter to Vietnam, which has significantly improved the quality and quantity of its rice. India is also exporting more and more of its rice. The stockpiling of rice is also leading to a shortage of suitable warehouse space. The Prime Minister and her government face a censure debate and possible no confidence vote later this month that could end the scheme or bring down the government.   PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    RicePricingScheme037.jpg
  • 15 NOVEMBER 2012 - PATHUM THANI, PATHUM THANI, THAILAND:  Workers unload trucks of rice bought from local farmers by the Thai government in a rice warehouse in Pathum Thani. The Thai government under Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has launched an expansive price support "scheme" for rice farmers. The government is buying rice from farmers and warehousing it until world rice prices increase. Rice farmers, the backbone of rural Thailand, like the plan, but exporters do not because they are afraid Thailand is losing its position as the world's #1 rice exporter to Vietnam, which has significantly improved the quality and quantity of its rice. India is also exporting more and more of its rice. The stockpiling of rice is also leading to a shortage of suitable warehouse space. The Prime Minister and her government face a censure debate and possible no confidence vote later this month that could end the scheme or bring down the government.   PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    RicePricingScheme036.jpg
  • 15 NOVEMBER 2012 - PATHUM THANI, PATHUM THANI, THAILAND:  Workers stack bags of rice bought from local farmers by the Thai government in a rice warehouse in Pathum Thani. Each bag weighs 100 kilos. The Thai government under Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has launched an expansive price support "scheme" for rice farmers. The government is buying rice from farmers and warehousing it until world rice prices increase. Rice farmers, the backbone of rural Thailand, like the plan, but exporters do not because they are afraid Thailand is losing its position as the world's #1 rice exporter to Vietnam, which has significantly improved the quality and quantity of its rice. India is also exporting more and more of its rice. The stockpiling of rice is also leading to a shortage of suitable warehouse space. The Prime Minister and her government face a censure debate and possible no confidence vote later this month that could end the scheme or bring down the government.   PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    RicePricingScheme035.jpg
  • 15 NOVEMBER 2012 - PATHUM THANI, PATHUM THANI, THAILAND:  Workers stack bags of rice bought from local farmers by the Thai government in a rice warehouse in Pathum Thani. Each bag weighs 100 kilos. The Thai government under Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has launched an expansive price support "scheme" for rice farmers. The government is buying rice from farmers and warehousing it until world rice prices increase. Rice farmers, the backbone of rural Thailand, like the plan, but exporters do not because they are afraid Thailand is losing its position as the world's #1 rice exporter to Vietnam, which has significantly improved the quality and quantity of its rice. India is also exporting more and more of its rice. The stockpiling of rice is also leading to a shortage of suitable warehouse space. The Prime Minister and her government face a censure debate and possible no confidence vote later this month that could end the scheme or bring down the government.   PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    RicePricingScheme034.jpg
  • 15 NOVEMBER 2012 - PATHUM THANI, PATHUM THANI, THAILAND:  Workers stack bags of rice bought from local farmers by the Thai government in a rice warehouse in Pathum Thani. Each bag weighs 100 kilos. The Thai government under Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has launched an expansive price support "scheme" for rice farmers. The government is buying rice from farmers and warehousing it until world rice prices increase. Rice farmers, the backbone of rural Thailand, like the plan, but exporters do not because they are afraid Thailand is losing its position as the world's #1 rice exporter to Vietnam, which has significantly improved the quality and quantity of its rice. India is also exporting more and more of its rice. The stockpiling of rice is also leading to a shortage of suitable warehouse space. The Prime Minister and her government face a censure debate and possible no confidence vote later this month that could end the scheme or bring down the government.   PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    RicePricingScheme033.jpg
  • 15 NOVEMBER 2012 - PATHUM THANI, PATHUM THANI, THAILAND:  Workers stack bags of rice bought from local farmers by the Thai government in a rice warehouse in Pathum Thani. Each bag weighs 100 kilos. The Thai government under Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has launched an expansive price support "scheme" for rice farmers. The government is buying rice from farmers and warehousing it until world rice prices increase. Rice farmers, the backbone of rural Thailand, like the plan, but exporters do not because they are afraid Thailand is losing its position as the world's #1 rice exporter to Vietnam, which has significantly improved the quality and quantity of its rice. India is also exporting more and more of its rice. The stockpiling of rice is also leading to a shortage of suitable warehouse space. The Prime Minister and her government face a censure debate and possible no confidence vote later this month that could end the scheme or bring down the government.   PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    RicePricingScheme031.jpg
  • 15 NOVEMBER 2012 - PATHUM THANI, PATHUM THANI, THAILAND:  A woman sews up a bag of rice that split open in a rice warehouse in Pathum Thani. Each bag weighs 100 kilos. The Thai government under Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has launched an expansive price support "scheme" for rice farmers. The government is buying rice from farmers and warehousing it until world rice prices increase. Rice farmers, the backbone of rural Thailand, like the plan, but exporters do not because they are afraid Thailand is losing its position as the world's #1 rice exporter to Vietnam, which has significantly improved the quality and quantity of its rice. India is also exporting more and more of its rice. The stockpiling of rice is also leading to a shortage of suitable warehouse space. The Prime Minister and her government face a censure debate and possible no confidence vote later this month that could end the scheme or bring down the government.   PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    RicePricingScheme029.jpg
  • 15 NOVEMBER 2012 - PATHUM THANI, PATHUM THANI, THAILAND: Workers stack bags of rice bought from local farmers by the Thai government in a rice warehouse in Pathum Thani. Each bag weighs 100 kilos. The Thai government under Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has launched an expansive price support "scheme" for rice farmers. The government is buying rice from farmers and warehousing it until world rice prices increase. Rice farmers, the backbone of rural Thailand, like the plan, but exporters do not because they are afraid Thailand is losing its position as the world's #1 rice exporter to Vietnam, which has significantly improved the quality and quantity of its rice. India is also exporting more and more of its rice. The stockpiling of rice is also leading to a shortage of suitable warehouse space. The Prime Minister and her government face a censure debate and possible no confidence vote later this month that could end the scheme or bring down the government.    PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    RicePricingScheme028.jpg
  • 15 NOVEMBER 2012 - PATHUM THANI, PATHUM THANI, THAILAND: Workers stack bags of rice bought from local farmers by the Thai government in a rice warehouse in Pathum Thani. Each bag weighs 100 kilos. The Thai government under Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has launched an expansive price support "scheme" for rice farmers. The government is buying rice from farmers and warehousing it until world rice prices increase. Rice farmers, the backbone of rural Thailand, like the plan, but exporters do not because they are afraid Thailand is losing its position as the world's #1 rice exporter to Vietnam, which has significantly improved the quality and quantity of its rice. India is also exporting more and more of its rice. The stockpiling of rice is also leading to a shortage of suitable warehouse space. The Prime Minister and her government face a censure debate and possible no confidence vote later this month that could end the scheme or bring down the government.    PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    RicePricingScheme026.jpg
  • 15 NOVEMBER 2012 - PATHUM THANI, PATHUM THANI, THAILAND: Workers stack bags of rice bought from local farmers by the Thai government in a rice warehouse in Pathum Thani. Each bag weighs 100 kilos. The Thai government under Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has launched an expansive price support "scheme" for rice farmers. The government is buying rice from farmers and warehousing it until world rice prices increase. Rice farmers, the backbone of rural Thailand, like the plan, but exporters do not because they are afraid Thailand is losing its position as the world's #1 rice exporter to Vietnam, which has significantly improved the quality and quantity of its rice. India is also exporting more and more of its rice. The stockpiling of rice is also leading to a shortage of suitable warehouse space. The Prime Minister and her government face a censure debate and possible no confidence vote later this month that could end the scheme or bring down the government.    PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    RicePricingScheme025.jpg
  • 15 NOVEMBER 2012 - PATHUM THANI, PATHUM THANI, THAILAND: Workers stack bags of rice bought from local farmers by the Thai government in a rice warehouse in Pathum Thani. Each bag weighs 100 kilos. The Thai government under Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has launched an expansive price support "scheme" for rice farmers. The government is buying rice from farmers and warehousing it until world rice prices increase. Rice farmers, the backbone of rural Thailand, like the plan, but exporters do not because they are afraid Thailand is losing its position as the world's #1 rice exporter to Vietnam, which has significantly improved the quality and quantity of its rice. India is also exporting more and more of its rice. The stockpiling of rice is also leading to a shortage of suitable warehouse space. The Prime Minister and her government face a censure debate and possible no confidence vote later this month that could end the scheme or bring down the government.    PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    RicePricingScheme024.jpg
  • 15 NOVEMBER 2012 - PATHUM THANI, PATHUM THANI, THAILAND:  A worker takes a break on top of bags of government purchased rice in a rice warehouse in Pathum Thani. The Thai government under Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has launched an expansive price support "scheme" for rice farmers. The government is buying rice from farmers and warehousing it until world rice prices increase. Rice farmers, the backbone of rural Thailand, like the plan, but exporters do not because they are afraid Thailand is losing its position as the world's #1 rice exporter to Vietnam, which has significantly improved the quality and quantity of its rice. India is also exporting more and more of its rice. The stockpiling of rice is also leading to a shortage of suitable warehouse space. The Prime Minister and her government face a censure debate and possible no confidence vote later this month that could end the scheme or bring down the government.   PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    RicePricingScheme023.jpg
  • 15 NOVEMBER 2012 - PATHUM THANI, PATHUM THANI, THAILAND:  A worker takes a break on top of bags of government purchased rice in a rice warehouse in Pathum Thani. The Thai government under Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has launched an expansive price support "scheme" for rice farmers. The government is buying rice from farmers and warehousing it until world rice prices increase. Rice farmers, the backbone of rural Thailand, like the plan, but exporters do not because they are afraid Thailand is losing its position as the world's #1 rice exporter to Vietnam, which has significantly improved the quality and quantity of its rice. India is also exporting more and more of its rice. The stockpiling of rice is also leading to a shortage of suitable warehouse space. The Prime Minister and her government face a censure debate and possible no confidence vote later this month that could end the scheme or bring down the government.   PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    RicePricingScheme022.jpg
  • 15 NOVEMBER 2012 - PATHUM THANI, PATHUM THANI, THAILAND: Workers stack bags of rice bought from local farmers by the Thai government in a rice warehouse in Pathum Thani. Each bag weighs 100 kilos. The Thai government under Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has launched an expansive price support "scheme" for rice farmers. The government is buying rice from farmers and warehousing it until world rice prices increase. Rice farmers, the backbone of rural Thailand, like the plan, but exporters do not because they are afraid Thailand is losing its position as the world's #1 rice exporter to Vietnam, which has significantly improved the quality and quantity of its rice. India is also exporting more and more of its rice. The stockpiling of rice is also leading to a shortage of suitable warehouse space. The Prime Minister and her government face a censure debate and possible no confidence vote later this month that could end the scheme or bring down the government.    PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    RicePricingScheme021.jpg
  • 15 NOVEMBER 2012 - PATHUM THANI, PATHUM THANI, THAILAND: Workers stack bags of rice bought from local farmers by the Thai government in a rice warehouse in Pathum Thani. Each bag weighs 100 kilos. The Thai government under Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has launched an expansive price support "scheme" for rice farmers. The government is buying rice from farmers and warehousing it until world rice prices increase. Rice farmers, the backbone of rural Thailand, like the plan, but exporters do not because they are afraid Thailand is losing its position as the world's #1 rice exporter to Vietnam, which has significantly improved the quality and quantity of its rice. India is also exporting more and more of its rice. The stockpiling of rice is also leading to a shortage of suitable warehouse space. The Prime Minister and her government face a censure debate and possible no confidence vote later this month that could end the scheme or bring down the government.    PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    RicePricingScheme020.jpg
  • 15 NOVEMBER 2012 - PATHUM THANI, PATHUM THANI, THAILAND: Workers stack bags of rice bought from local farmers by the Thai government in a rice warehouse in Pathum Thani. Each bag weighs 100 kilos. The Thai government under Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has launched an expansive price support "scheme" for rice farmers. The government is buying rice from farmers and warehousing it until world rice prices increase. Rice farmers, the backbone of rural Thailand, like the plan, but exporters do not because they are afraid Thailand is losing its position as the world's #1 rice exporter to Vietnam, which has significantly improved the quality and quantity of its rice. India is also exporting more and more of its rice. The stockpiling of rice is also leading to a shortage of suitable warehouse space. The Prime Minister and her government face a censure debate and possible no confidence vote later this month that could end the scheme or bring down the government.    PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    RicePricingScheme018.jpg
  • 15 NOVEMBER 2012 - PATHUM THANI, PATHUM THANI, THAILAND:  Workers unload trucks of rice bought from local farmers by the Thai government in a rice warehouse in Pathum Thani. The Thai government under Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has launched an expansive price support "scheme" for rice farmers. The government is buying rice from farmers and warehousing it until world rice prices increase. Rice farmers, the backbone of rural Thailand, like the plan, but exporters do not because they are afraid Thailand is losing its position as the world's #1 rice exporter to Vietnam, which has significantly improved the quality and quantity of its rice. India is also exporting more and more of its rice. The stockpiling of rice is also leading to a shortage of suitable warehouse space. The Prime Minister and her government face a censure debate and possible no confidence vote later this month that could end the scheme or bring down the government.   PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    RicePricingScheme016.jpg
  • 15 NOVEMBER 2012 - PATHUM THANI, PATHUM THANI, THAILAND:  Workers unload trucks of rice bought from local farmers by the Thai government in a rice warehouse in Pathum Thani. The Thai government under Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has launched an expansive price support "scheme" for rice farmers. The government is buying rice from farmers and warehousing it until world rice prices increase. Rice farmers, the backbone of rural Thailand, like the plan, but exporters do not because they are afraid Thailand is losing its position as the world's #1 rice exporter to Vietnam, which has significantly improved the quality and quantity of its rice. India is also exporting more and more of its rice. The stockpiling of rice is also leading to a shortage of suitable warehouse space. The Prime Minister and her government face a censure debate and possible no confidence vote later this month that could end the scheme or bring down the government.   PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    RicePricingScheme015.jpg
  • 15 NOVEMBER 2012 - PATHUM THANI, PATHUM THANI, THAILAND:  Workers unload trucks of rice bought from local farmers by the Thai government in a rice warehouse in Pathum Thani. The Thai government under Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has launched an expansive price support "scheme" for rice farmers. The government is buying rice from farmers and warehousing it until world rice prices increase. Rice farmers, the backbone of rural Thailand, like the plan, but exporters do not because they are afraid Thailand is losing its position as the world's #1 rice exporter to Vietnam, which has significantly improved the quality and quantity of its rice. India is also exporting more and more of its rice. The stockpiling of rice is also leading to a shortage of suitable warehouse space. The Prime Minister and her government face a censure debate and possible no confidence vote later this month that could end the scheme or bring down the government.   PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    RicePricingScheme014.jpg
  • 15 NOVEMBER 2012 - PATHUM THANI, PATHUM THANI, THAILAND:  Workers unload trucks of rice bought from local farmers by the Thai government in a rice warehouse in Pathum Thani. The Thai government under Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has launched an expansive price support "scheme" for rice farmers. The government is buying rice from farmers and warehousing it until world rice prices increase. Rice farmers, the backbone of rural Thailand, like the plan, but exporters do not because they are afraid Thailand is losing its position as the world's #1 rice exporter to Vietnam, which has significantly improved the quality and quantity of its rice. India is also exporting more and more of its rice. The stockpiling of rice is also leading to a shortage of suitable warehouse space. The Prime Minister and her government face a censure debate and possible no confidence vote later this month that could end the scheme or bring down the government.   PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    RicePricingScheme013.jpg
  • 15 NOVEMBER 2012 - PATHUM THANI, PATHUM THANI, THAILAND:  A worker keeps track of government purchased rice brought into a rice warehouse in Pathum Thani. The Thai government under Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has launched an expansive price support "scheme" for rice farmers. The government is buying rice from farmers and warehousing it until world rice prices increase. Rice farmers, the backbone of rural Thailand, like the plan, but exporters do not because they are afraid Thailand is losing its position as the world's #1 rice exporter to Vietnam, which has significantly improved the quality and quantity of its rice. India is also exporting more and more of its rice. The stockpiling of rice is also leading to a shortage of suitable warehouse space. The Prime Minister and her government face a censure debate and possible no confidence vote later this month that could end the scheme or bring down the government.   PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    RicePricingScheme012.jpg
  • 15 NOVEMBER 2012 - PATHUM THANI, PATHUM THANI, THAILAND:  Workers unload trucks of rice bought from local farmers by the Thai government in a rice warehouse in Pathum Thani. The Thai government under Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has launched an expansive price support "scheme" for rice farmers. The government is buying rice from farmers and warehousing it until world rice prices increase. Rice farmers, the backbone of rural Thailand, like the plan, but exporters do not because they are afraid Thailand is losing its position as the world's #1 rice exporter to Vietnam, which has significantly improved the quality and quantity of its rice. India is also exporting more and more of its rice. The stockpiling of rice is also leading to a shortage of suitable warehouse space. The Prime Minister and her government face a censure debate and possible no confidence vote later this month that could end the scheme or bring down the government.   PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    RicePricingScheme008.jpg
  • 15 NOVEMBER 2012 - PATHUM THANI, PATHUM THANI, THAILAND: A worker in a rice warehouse in Pathum Thani checks the quality of rice being stored there. The rice was bought by the Thai government under the rice pricing program, called the "pledging scheme." The Thai government under Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has launched an expansive price support "scheme" for rice farmers. The government is buying rice from farmers and warehousing it until world rice prices increase. Rice farmers, the backbone of rural Thailand, like the plan, but exporters do not because they are afraid Thailand is losing its position as the world's #1 rice exporter to Vietnam, which has significantly improved the quality and quantity of its rice. India is also exporting more and more of its rice. The stockpiling of rice is also leading to a shortage of suitable warehouse space. The Prime Minister and her government face a censure debate and possible no confidence vote later this month that could end the scheme or bring down the government.    PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    RicePricingScheme007.jpg
  • 15 NOVEMBER 2012 - PATHUM THANI, PATHUM THANI, THAILAND: A worker in a rice warehouse in Pathum Thani checks the quality of rice being stored there. The rice was bought by the Thai government under the rice pricing program, called the "pledging scheme." The Thai government under Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has launched an expansive price support "scheme" for rice farmers. The government is buying rice from farmers and warehousing it until world rice prices increase. Rice farmers, the backbone of rural Thailand, like the plan, but exporters do not because they are afraid Thailand is losing its position as the world's #1 rice exporter to Vietnam, which has significantly improved the quality and quantity of its rice. India is also exporting more and more of its rice. The stockpiling of rice is also leading to a shortage of suitable warehouse space. The Prime Minister and her government face a censure debate and possible no confidence vote later this month that could end the scheme or bring down the government.    PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    RicePricingScheme006.jpg
  • 15 NOVEMBER 2012 - PATHUM THANI, PATHUM THANI, THAILAND: A worker in a rice warehouse in Pathum Thani checks the quality of rice being stored there. The rice was bought by the Thai government under the rice pricing program, called the "pledging scheme." The Thai government under Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has launched an expansive price support "scheme" for rice farmers. The government is buying rice from farmers and warehousing it until world rice prices increase. Rice farmers, the backbone of rural Thailand, like the plan, but exporters do not because they are afraid Thailand is losing its position as the world's #1 rice exporter to Vietnam, which has significantly improved the quality and quantity of its rice. India is also exporting more and more of its rice. The stockpiling of rice is also leading to a shortage of suitable warehouse space. The Prime Minister and her government face a censure debate and possible no confidence vote later this month that could end the scheme or bring down the government.    PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    RicePricingScheme005.jpg
  • 15 NOVEMBER 2012 - PATHUM THANI, PATHUM THANI, THAILAND: A worker in a rice warehouse in Pathum Thani checks the quality of rice being stored there. The rice was bought by the Thai government under the rice pricing program, called the "pledging scheme." The Thai government under Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has launched an expansive price support "scheme" for rice farmers. The government is buying rice from farmers and warehousing it until world rice prices increase. Rice farmers, the backbone of rural Thailand, like the plan, but exporters do not because they are afraid Thailand is losing its position as the world's #1 rice exporter to Vietnam, which has significantly improved the quality and quantity of its rice. India is also exporting more and more of its rice. The stockpiling of rice is also leading to a shortage of suitable warehouse space. The Prime Minister and her government face a censure debate and possible no confidence vote later this month that could end the scheme or bring down the government.    PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    RicePricingScheme004.jpg
  • 15 NOVEMBER 2012 - PATHUM THANI, PATHUM THANI, THAILAND: A worker in a rice warehouse in Pathum Thani checks the quality of rice being stored there. The rice was bought by the Thai government under the rice pricing program, called the "pledging scheme." The Thai government under Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has launched an expansive price support "scheme" for rice farmers. The government is buying rice from farmers and warehousing it until world rice prices increase. Rice farmers, the backbone of rural Thailand, like the plan, but exporters do not because they are afraid Thailand is losing its position as the world's #1 rice exporter to Vietnam, which has significantly improved the quality and quantity of its rice. India is also exporting more and more of its rice. The stockpiling of rice is also leading to a shortage of suitable warehouse space. The Prime Minister and her government face a censure debate and possible no confidence vote later this month that could end the scheme or bring down the government.    PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    RicePricingScheme002.jpg
  • 15 NOVEMBER 2012 - PATHUM THANI, PATHUM THANI, THAILAND: Workers unload trucks of rice bought from local farmers by the Thai government in a rice warehouse in Pathum Thani. The Thai government under Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has launched an expansive price support "scheme" for rice farmers. The government is buying rice from farmers and warehousing it until world rice prices increase. Rice farmers, the backbone of rural Thailand, like the plan, but exporters do not because they are afraid Thailand is losing its position as the world's #1 rice exporter to Vietnam, which has significantly improved the quality and quantity of its rice. India is also exporting more and more of its rice. The stockpiling of rice is also leading to a shortage of suitable warehouse space. The Prime Minister and her government face a censure debate and possible no confidence vote later this month that could end the scheme or bring down the government.    PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    RicePricingScheme001.jpg
  • 15 NOVEMBER 2012 - PATHUM THANI, PATHUM THANI, THAILAND:  Workers unload trucks of rice bought from local farmers by the Thai government in a rice warehouse in Pathum Thani. The Thai government under Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has launched an expansive price support "scheme" for rice farmers. The government is buying rice from farmers and warehousing it until world rice prices increase. Rice farmers, the backbone of rural Thailand, like the plan, but exporters do not because they are afraid Thailand is losing its position as the world's #1 rice exporter to Vietnam, which has significantly improved the quality and quantity of its rice. India is also exporting more and more of its rice. The stockpiling of rice is also leading to a shortage of suitable warehouse space. The Prime Minister and her government face a censure debate and possible no confidence vote later this month that could end the scheme or bring down the government.   PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    RicePricingScheme010.jpg
  • 09 APRIL 2010 - DON NANG HANG, NAKHON PHANOM, THAILAND: A worker walks across bags of tobacco in the warehouse. Thai tobacco farmers have their crop graded and priced before they sell it at the Thai government tobacco warehouse in Don Nang Hang village in Nakhon Phanom province. The region, in northeast Thailand, is the center of the Thai tobacco industry.  PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    NakhonPhanomTravelFeatures043.jpg
  • 09 APRIL 2010 - DON NANG HANG, NAKHON PHANOM, THAILAND: A warehouse worker takes a break on a burlap bag full of tobacco. Thai tobacco farmers have their crop graded and priced before they sell it at the Thai government tobacco warehouse in Don Nang Hang village in Nakhon Phanom province. The region, in northeast Thailand, is the center of the Thai tobacco industry.  PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    NakhonPhanomTravelFeatures042.jpg
  • 09 APRIL 2010 - DON NANG HANG, NAKHON PHANOM, THAILAND: A manager grades tobacco in the warehouse. Thai tobacco farmers have their crop graded and priced before they sell it at the Thai government tobacco warehouse in Don Nang Hang village in Nakhon Phanom province. The region, in northeast Thailand, is the center of the Thai tobacco industry.  PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    NakhonPhanomTravelFeatures039.jpg
  • 08 JULY 2014 - WANG NAM SAP, SUPHAN BURI, THAILAND: Thai soldiers draw samples of rice from burlap bags at a rice warehouse in Wang Nam Sap, Suphan Buri province. Representatives of the Thai ruling junta have started inspecting stocks of rice bought by the ousted civilian government following the 2012 and 2013 rice harvests. The government of ousted former Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra bought up thousands of tons of rice from farmers at above market prices in one of its most controversial populist policies. The alleged mismanagement of the "rice pledging scheme," as it was called, was one of the factors that lead to the May 2014 coup that ousted the government. According to officials doing the inspections found rotten and weevil-infested grain, along with evidence that large stocks were replaced with old or inferior grades.     PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    RiceInspections022.jpg
  • 08 JULY 2014 - WANG NAM SAP, SUPHAN BURI, THAILAND: An agricultural officials weighs and inspects rice at a rice warehouse in Wang Nam Sap, Suphan Buri province. Representatives of the Thai ruling junta have started inspecting stocks of rice bought by the ousted civilian government following the 2012 and 2013 rice harvests. The government of ousted former Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra bought up thousands of tons of rice from farmers at above market prices in one of its most controversial populist policies. The alleged mismanagement of the "rice pledging scheme," as it was called, was one of the factors that lead to the May 2014 coup that ousted the government. According to officials doing the inspections found rotten and weevil-infested grain, along with evidence that large stocks were replaced with old or inferior grades.     PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    RiceInspections007.jpg
  • 08 JULY 2014 - WANG NAM SAP, SUPHAN BURI, THAILAND:  A Thai soldier carries a bucket of rice to an inspection station at a rice warehouse in Wang Nam Sap, Suphan Buri province. Representatives of the Thai ruling junta have started inspecting stocks of rice bought by the ousted civilian government following the 2012 and 2013 rice harvests. The government of ousted former Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra bought up thousands of tons of rice from farmers at above market prices in one of its most controversial populist policies. The alleged mismanagement of the "rice pledging scheme," as it was called, was one of the factors that lead to the May 2014 coup that ousted the government. According to officials doing the inspections found rotten and weevil-infested grain, along with evidence that large stocks were replaced with old or inferior grades.    PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    RiceInspections003.jpg
  • 02 MARCH 2014 - MYAWADDY, KAYIN, MYANMAR (BURMA):  A worker peels garlic in a warehouse in Myawaddy, Myanmar. Myawaddy is separated from the Thai border town of Mae Sot by the Moei River. Myawaddy is the most important trading point between Myanmar (Burma) and Thailand.     PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    MyawaddyMyanmar0302033.jpg
  • 09 APRIL 2010 - DON NANG HANG, NAKHON PHANOM, THAILAND: Women wait to have their tobacco graded. Thai tobacco farmers have their crop graded and priced before they sell it at the Thai government tobacco warehouse in Don Nang Hang village in Nakhon Phanom province. The region, in northeast Thailand, is the center of the Thai tobacco industry.  PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    NakhonPhanomTravelFeatures044.jpg
  • 26 AUGUST 2014 - BANGKOK, THAILAND:  Women sort spices in a warehouse area in the Somdet Ya neighborhood in the Thonburi side of the Chao Phraya River in Bangkok.   PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    MiscBKK0826013.jpg
  • 26 AUGUST 2014 - BANGKOK, THAILAND:  Women sort spices in a warehouse area in the Somdet Ya neighborhood in the Thonburi side of the Chao Phraya River in Bangkok.   PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    MiscBKK0826012.jpg
  • 08 JULY 2014 - WANG NAM SAP, SUPHAN BURI, THAILAND: Thai soldiers draw samples of rice from burlap bags at a rice warehouse in Wang Nam Sap, Suphan Buri province. Representatives of the Thai ruling junta have started inspecting stocks of rice bought by the ousted civilian government following the 2012 and 2013 rice harvests. The government of ousted former Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra bought up thousands of tons of rice from farmers at above market prices in one of its most controversial populist policies. The alleged mismanagement of the "rice pledging scheme," as it was called, was one of the factors that lead to the May 2014 coup that ousted the government. According to officials doing the inspections found rotten and weevil-infested grain, along with evidence that large stocks were replaced with old or inferior grades.     PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    RiceInspections023.jpg
  • 08 JULY 2014 - WANG NAM SAP, SUPHAN BURI, THAILAND: A Thai army officers sorts sample of rice taken from a rice warehouse in Wang Nam Sap, Suphan Buri province. Representatives of the Thai ruling junta have started inspecting stocks of rice bought by the ousted civilian government following the 2012 and 2013 rice harvests. The government of ousted former Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra bought up thousands of tons of rice from farmers at above market prices in one of its most controversial populist policies. The alleged mismanagement of the "rice pledging scheme," as it was called, was one of the factors that lead to the May 2014 coup that ousted the government. According to officials doing the inspections found rotten and weevil-infested grain, along with evidence that large stocks were replaced with old or inferior grades.     PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    RiceInspections014.jpg
  • 08 JULY 2014 - WANG NAM SAP, SUPHAN BURI, THAILAND: Thai soldiers draw samples of rice from burlap bags at a rice warehouse in Wang Nam Sap, Suphan Buri province. Representatives of the Thai ruling junta have started inspecting stocks of rice bought by the ousted civilian government following the 2012 and 2013 rice harvests. The government of ousted former Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra bought up thousands of tons of rice from farmers at above market prices in one of its most controversial populist policies. The alleged mismanagement of the "rice pledging scheme," as it was called, was one of the factors that lead to the May 2014 coup that ousted the government. According to officials doing the inspections found rotten and weevil-infested grain, along with evidence that large stocks were replaced with old or inferior grades.     PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    RiceInspections013.jpg
  • 08 JULY 2014 - WANG NAM SAP, SUPHAN BURI, THAILAND: Thai soldiers draw samples of rice from burlap bags at a rice warehouse in Wang Nam Sap, Suphan Buri province. Representatives of the Thai ruling junta have started inspecting stocks of rice bought by the ousted civilian government following the 2012 and 2013 rice harvests. The government of ousted former Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra bought up thousands of tons of rice from farmers at above market prices in one of its most controversial populist policies. The alleged mismanagement of the "rice pledging scheme," as it was called, was one of the factors that lead to the May 2014 coup that ousted the government. According to officials doing the inspections found rotten and weevil-infested grain, along with evidence that large stocks were replaced with old or inferior grades.     PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    RiceInspections011.jpg
  • 08 JULY 2014 - WANG NAM SAP, SUPHAN BURI, THAILAND: An agricultural officials weighs and inspects rice at a rice warehouse in Wang Nam Sap, Suphan Buri province. Representatives of the Thai ruling junta have started inspecting stocks of rice bought by the ousted civilian government following the 2012 and 2013 rice harvests. The government of ousted former Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra bought up thousands of tons of rice from farmers at above market prices in one of its most controversial populist policies. The alleged mismanagement of the "rice pledging scheme," as it was called, was one of the factors that lead to the May 2014 coup that ousted the government. According to officials doing the inspections found rotten and weevil-infested grain, along with evidence that large stocks were replaced with old or inferior grades.     PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    RiceInspections008.jpg
  • 08 JULY 2014 - WANG NAM SAP, SUPHAN BURI, THAILAND: An agricultural officials weighs and inspects rice at a rice warehouse in Wang Nam Sap, Suphan Buri province. Representatives of the Thai ruling junta have started inspecting stocks of rice bought by the ousted civilian government following the 2012 and 2013 rice harvests. The government of ousted former Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra bought up thousands of tons of rice from farmers at above market prices in one of its most controversial populist policies. The alleged mismanagement of the "rice pledging scheme," as it was called, was one of the factors that lead to the May 2014 coup that ousted the government. According to officials doing the inspections found rotten and weevil-infested grain, along with evidence that large stocks were replaced with old or inferior grades.     PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    RiceInspections006.jpg
  • 08 JULY 2014 - WANG NAM SAP, SUPHAN BURI, THAILAND: An agricultural officials weighs and inspects rice at a rice warehouse in Wang Nam Sap, Suphan Buri province. Representatives of the Thai ruling junta have started inspecting stocks of rice bought by the ousted civilian government following the 2012 and 2013 rice harvests. The government of ousted former Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra bought up thousands of tons of rice from farmers at above market prices in one of its most controversial populist policies. The alleged mismanagement of the "rice pledging scheme," as it was called, was one of the factors that lead to the May 2014 coup that ousted the government. According to officials doing the inspections found rotten and weevil-infested grain, along with evidence that large stocks were replaced with old or inferior grades.     PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    RiceInspections004.jpg
  • 02 MARCH 2014 - MYAWADDY, KAYIN, MYANMAR (BURMA):  A worker peels garlic in a warehouse in Myawaddy, Myanmar. Myawaddy is separated from the Thai border town of Mae Sot by the Moei River. Myawaddy is the most important trading point between Myanmar (Burma) and Thailand.     PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    MyawaddyMyanmar0302032.jpg
  • 02 MARCH 2014 - MYAWADDY, KAYIN, MYANMAR (BURMA):  An onion warehouse in Myawaddy, Myanmar. The onions will be exported to Thailand. Myawaddy is separated from the Thai border town of Mae Sot by the Moei River. Myawaddy is the most important trading point between Myanmar (Burma) and Thailand.     PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    MyawaddyMyanmar0302031.jpg
  • 09 APRIL 2010 - DON NANG HANG, NAKHON PHANOM, THAILAND: Thai tobacco farmers have their crop graded and priced before they sell it at the Thai government tobacco warehouse in Don Nang Hang village in Nakhon Phanom province. The region, in northeast Thailand, is the center of the Thai tobacco industry.  PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    NakhonPhanomTravelFeatures045.jpg
  • 09 APRIL 2010 - DON NANG HANG, NAKHON PHANOM, THAILAND: A farmer ties his bag of tobacco shut after it was graded. Thai tobacco farmers have their crop graded and priced before they sell it at the Thai government tobacco warehouse in Don Nang Hang village in Nakhon Phanom province. The region, in northeast Thailand, is the center of the Thai tobacco industry.  PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    NakhonPhanomTravelFeatures041.jpg
  • 08 JULY 2014 - WANG NAM SAP, SUPHAN BURI, THAILAND: Thai soldiers draw samples of rice from burlap bags at a rice warehouse in Wang Nam Sap, Suphan Buri province. Representatives of the Thai ruling junta have started inspecting stocks of rice bought by the ousted civilian government following the 2012 and 2013 rice harvests. The government of ousted former Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra bought up thousands of tons of rice from farmers at above market prices in one of its most controversial populist policies. The alleged mismanagement of the "rice pledging scheme," as it was called, was one of the factors that lead to the May 2014 coup that ousted the government. According to officials doing the inspections found rotten and weevil-infested grain, along with evidence that large stocks were replaced with old or inferior grades.     PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    RiceInspections012.jpg
  • 08 JULY 2014 - WANG NAM SAP, SUPHAN BURI, THAILAND: An agricultural officials weighs and inspects rice at a rice warehouse in Wang Nam Sap, Suphan Buri province. Representatives of the Thai ruling junta have started inspecting stocks of rice bought by the ousted civilian government following the 2012 and 2013 rice harvests. The government of ousted former Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra bought up thousands of tons of rice from farmers at above market prices in one of its most controversial populist policies. The alleged mismanagement of the "rice pledging scheme," as it was called, was one of the factors that lead to the May 2014 coup that ousted the government. According to officials doing the inspections found rotten and weevil-infested grain, along with evidence that large stocks were replaced with old or inferior grades.     PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    RiceInspections005.jpg
  • 15 DECEMBER 2014 - KLAENG, RAYONG, THAILAND: A worker pushes a cart of dried rubber to a packing station at Supark, a rubber processing plant in Klaeng, Thailand. Thailand is the second leading rubber exporter in the world. In the last two years, the price paid to rubber farmers has plunged from approximately 190 Baht per kilo (about $6.10 US) to 45 Baht per kilo (about $1.20 US). It costs about 65 Baht per kilo to produce rubber ($2.05 US). Prices have plunged 5 percent since September, when rubber was about 52Baht per kilo. Some rubber farmers have taken jobs in the construction trade or in Bangkok to provide for their families during the slump. The Thai government recently announced a "Rubber Fund" to assist small farm owners but said prices won't rebound until production is cut and world demand for rubber picks up.        PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    RubberCrisisContinues074.jpg
  • 15 DECEMBER 2014 - KLAENG, RAYONG, THAILAND: A worker pushes a cart of dried rubber to a packing station at Supark, a rubber processing plant in Klaeng, Thailand. Thailand is the second leading rubber exporter in the world. In the last two years, the price paid to rubber farmers has plunged from approximately 190 Baht per kilo (about $6.10 US) to 45 Baht per kilo (about $1.20 US). It costs about 65 Baht per kilo to produce rubber ($2.05 US). Prices have plunged 5 percent since September, when rubber was about 52Baht per kilo. Some rubber farmers have taken jobs in the construction trade or in Bangkok to provide for their families during the slump. The Thai government recently announced a "Rubber Fund" to assist small farm owners but said prices won't rebound until production is cut and world demand for rubber picks up.        PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    RubberCrisisContinues071.jpg
  • 15 DECEMBER 2014 - KLAENG, RAYONG, THAILAND: A worker sorts dried rubber sheets at a quality control station at Supark, a rubber processing plant in Klaeng, Thailand. Thailand is the second leading rubber exporter in the world. In the last two years, the price paid to rubber farmers has plunged from approximately 190 Baht per kilo (about $6.10 US) to 45 Baht per kilo (about $1.20 US). It costs about 65 Baht per kilo to produce rubber ($2.05 US). Prices have plunged 5 percent since September, when rubber was about 52Baht per kilo. Some rubber farmers have taken jobs in the construction trade or in Bangkok to provide for their families during the slump. The Thai government recently announced a "Rubber Fund" to assist small farm owners but said prices won't rebound until production is cut and world demand for rubber picks up.       PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    RubberCrisisContinues070.jpg
  • 15 DECEMBER 2014 - KLAENG, RAYONG, THAILAND: A worker sorts dried rubber sheets at a quality control station at Supark, a rubber processing plant in Klaeng, Thailand. Thailand is the second leading rubber exporter in the world. In the last two years, the price paid to rubber farmers has plunged from approximately 190 Baht per kilo (about $6.10 US) to 45 Baht per kilo (about $1.20 US). It costs about 65 Baht per kilo to produce rubber ($2.05 US). Prices have plunged 5 percent since September, when rubber was about 52Baht per kilo. Some rubber farmers have taken jobs in the construction trade or in Bangkok to provide for their families during the slump. The Thai government recently announced a "Rubber Fund" to assist small farm owners but said prices won't rebound until production is cut and world demand for rubber picks up.       PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    RubberCrisisContinues067.jpg
  • 15 DECEMBER 2014 - KLAENG, RAYONG, THAILAND: A worker rinses off rubber sheets at Supark, a rubber processing plant in Klaeng, Thailand. Thailand is the second leading rubber exporter in the world. In the last two years, the price paid to rubber farmers has plunged from approximately 190 Baht per kilo (about $6.10 US) to 45 Baht per kilo (about $1.20 US). It costs about 65 Baht per kilo to produce rubber ($2.05 US). Prices have plunged 5 percent since September, when rubber was about 52Baht per kilo. Some rubber farmers have taken jobs in the construction trade or in Bangkok to provide for their families during the slump. The Thai government recently announced a "Rubber Fund" to assist small farm owners but said prices won't rebound until production is cut and world demand for rubber picks up.      PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    RubberCrisisContinues063.jpg
  • 15 DECEMBER 2014 - KLAENG, RAYONG, THAILAND: A worker rinses off rubber sheets at Supark, a rubber processing plant in Klaeng, Thailand. Thailand is the second leading rubber exporter in the world. In the last two years, the price paid to rubber farmers has plunged from approximately 190 Baht per kilo (about $6.10 US) to 45 Baht per kilo (about $1.20 US). It costs about 65 Baht per kilo to produce rubber ($2.05 US). Prices have plunged 5 percent since September, when rubber was about 52Baht per kilo. Some rubber farmers have taken jobs in the construction trade or in Bangkok to provide for their families during the slump. The Thai government recently announced a "Rubber Fund" to assist small farm owners but said prices won't rebound until production is cut and world demand for rubber picks up.      PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    RubberCrisisContinues060.jpg
  • 15 DECEMBER 2014 - CHUM SAENG, RAYONG, THAILAND: A farmer unloads rubber sheets from his truck at a rubber buying station in Chum Saeng, Thailand. Thailand is the second leading rubber exporter in the world. In the last two years, the price paid to rubber farmers has plunged from approximately 190 Baht per kilo (about $6.10 US) to 45 Baht per kilo (about $1.20 US). It costs about 65 Baht per kilo to produce rubber ($2.05 US). Prices have plunged 5 percent since September, when rubber was about 52Baht per kilo. Some rubber farmers have taken jobs in the construction trade or in Bangkok to provide for their families during the slump. The Thai government recently announced a "Rubber Fund" to assist small farm owners but said prices won't rebound until production is cut and world demand for rubber picks up.     PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    RubberCrisisContinues054.jpg
  • 15 DECEMBER 2014 - CHUM SAENG, RAYONG, THAILAND: A worker stacks rubber sheets at a business that buys rubber from farmers in Chum Saeng, Thailand. Thailand is the second leading rubber exporter in the world. In the last two years, the price paid to rubber farmers has plunged from approximately 190 Baht per kilo (about $6.10 US) to 45 Baht per kilo (about $1.20 US). It costs about 65 Baht per kilo to produce rubber ($2.05 US). Prices have plunged 5 percent since September, when rubber was about 52Baht per kilo. Some rubber farmers have taken jobs in the construction trade or in Bangkok to provide for their families during the slump. The Thai government recently announced a "Rubber Fund" to assist small farm owners but said prices won't rebound until production is cut and world demand for rubber picks up.     PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    RubberCrisisContinues050.jpg
  • 15 DECEMBER 2014 - CHUM SAENG, RAYONG, THAILAND: A worker stacks rubber sheets at a business that buys rubber from farmers in Chum Saeng, Thailand. Thailand is the second leading rubber exporter in the world. In the last two years, the price paid to rubber farmers has plunged from approximately 190 Baht per kilo (about $6.10 US) to 45 Baht per kilo (about $1.20 US). It costs about 65 Baht per kilo to produce rubber ($2.05 US). Prices have plunged 5 percent since September, when rubber was about 52Baht per kilo. Some rubber farmers have taken jobs in the construction trade or in Bangkok to provide for their families during the slump. The Thai government recently announced a "Rubber Fund" to assist small farm owners but said prices won't rebound until production is cut and world demand for rubber picks up.     PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    RubberCrisisContinues049.jpg
  • 15 DECEMBER 2014 - CHUM SAENG, RAYONG, THAILAND: A worker stacks rubber sheets at a business that buys rubber from farmers in Chum Saeng, Thailand. Thailand is the second leading rubber exporter in the world. In the last two years, the price paid to rubber farmers has plunged from approximately 190 Baht per kilo (about $6.10 US) to 45 Baht per kilo (about $1.20 US). It costs about 65 Baht per kilo to produce rubber ($2.05 US). Prices have plunged 5 percent since September, when rubber was about 52Baht per kilo. Some rubber farmers have taken jobs in the construction trade or in Bangkok to provide for their families during the slump. The Thai government recently announced a "Rubber Fund" to assist small farm owners but said prices won't rebound until production is cut and world demand for rubber picks up.     PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    RubberCrisisContinues045.jpg
  • 15 DECEMBER 2014 - CHUM SAENG, RAYONG, THAILAND: A farmer unloads rubber sheets from his truck at a rubber buying station in Chum Saeng, Thailand. Thailand is the second leading rubber exporter in the world. In the last two years, the price paid to rubber farmers has plunged from approximately 190 Baht per kilo (about $6.10 US) to 45 Baht per kilo (about $1.20 US). It costs about 65 Baht per kilo to produce rubber ($2.05 US). Prices have plunged 5 percent since September, when rubber was about 52Baht per kilo. Some rubber farmers have taken jobs in the construction trade or in Bangkok to provide for their families during the slump. The Thai government recently announced a "Rubber Fund" to assist small farm owners but said prices won't rebound until production is cut and world demand for rubber picks up.      PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    RubberCrisisContinues043.jpg
  • 15 DECEMBER 2014 - CHUM SAENG, RAYONG, THAILAND: An equipment operator unloads raw latex from a farmer's pickup truck at a rubber buying station in Chum Saeng, Thailand. Thailand is the second leading rubber exporter in the world. In the last two years, the price paid to rubber farmers has plunged from approximately 190 Baht per kilo (about $6.10 US) to 45 Baht per kilo (about $1.20 US). It costs about 65 Baht per kilo to produce rubber ($2.05 US). Prices have plunged 5 percent since September, when rubber was about 52Baht per kilo. Some rubber farmers have taken jobs in the construction trade or in Bangkok to provide for their families during the slump. The Thai government recently announced a "Rubber Fund" to assist small farm owners but said prices won't rebound until production is cut and world demand for rubber picks up.     PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    RubberCrisisContinues038.jpg
  • 15 DECEMBER 2014 - CHUM SAENG, RAYONG, THAILAND: A farmer (right) sells a small amount of raw latex to a middleman who buys farmers' latex and resells it to processing plants near Chum Saeng, Thailand. Thailand is the second leading rubber exporter in the world. In the last two years, the price paid to rubber farmers has plunged from approximately 190 Baht per kilo (about $6.10 US) to 45 Baht per kilo (about $1.20 US). It costs about 65 Baht per kilo to produce rubber ($2.05 US). Prices have plunged 5 percent since September, when rubber was about 52Baht per kilo. Some rubber farmers have taken jobs in the construction trade or in Bangkok to provide for their families during the slump. The Thai government recently announced a "Rubber Fund" to assist small farm owners but said prices won't rebound until production is cut and world demand for rubber picks up.        PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    RubberCrisisContinues037.jpg
  • 15 DECEMBER 2014 - CHUM SAENG, RAYONG, THAILAND: Raw latex at a business that buys farmers' rubber near Chum Saeng, Thailand. Thailand is the second leading rubber exporter in the world. In the last two years, the price paid to rubber farmers has plunged from approximately 190 Baht per kilo (about $6.10 US) to 45 Baht per kilo (about $1.20 US). It costs about 65 Baht per kilo to produce rubber ($2.05 US). Prices have plunged 5 percent since September, when rubber was about 52Baht per kilo. Some rubber farmers have taken jobs in the construction trade or in Bangkok to provide for their families during the slump. The Thai government recently announced a "Rubber Fund" to assist small farm owners but said prices won't rebound until production is cut and world demand for rubber picks up.        PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    RubberCrisisContinues029.jpg
  • 02 SEPTEMBER 2014 - BO THONG, CHONBURI, THAILAND: Workers at Bothong Rubber Fund Cooperative in Bo Thong, Chonburi, Thailand, unload rubber sheets from a farmer's pickup truck. Thailand is the leading rubber exporter in the world. In the last two years, the price paid to rubber farmers has plunged from approximately 190 Baht per kilo (about $6.10 US) to 52 Baht per kilo (about $1.60 US). It costs about 65 Baht per kilo to produce rubber ($2.05 US). A rubber farmer in southern Thailand committed suicide over the weekend, allegedly because the low prices meant he couldn't provide for his family. Other rubber farmers have taken jobs in the construction trade or in Bangkok to provide for their families during the slump.    PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    ThaiRubberCrisis041.jpg
  • 02 SEPTEMBER 2014 - BO THONG, CHONBURI, THAILAND: Workers at Bothong Rubber Fund Cooperative in Bo Thong, Chonburi, Thailand, unload rubber sheets from a farmer's pickup truck. Thailand is the leading rubber exporter in the world. In the last two years, the price paid to rubber farmers has plunged from approximately 190 Baht per kilo (about $6.10 US) to 52 Baht per kilo (about $1.60 US). It costs about 65 Baht per kilo to produce rubber ($2.05 US). A rubber farmer in southern Thailand committed suicide over the weekend, allegedly because the low prices meant he couldn't provide for his family. Other rubber farmers have taken jobs in the construction trade or in Bangkok to provide for their families during the slump.    PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    ThaiRubberCrisis040.jpg
  • 02 SEPTEMBER 2014 - BO THONG, CHONBURI, THAILAND: A worker at Bothong Rubber Fund Cooperative in Bo Thong, Chonburi, Thailand, pulls rubber sheets off hangers after they were dried in a large smoker. Thailand is the leading rubber exporter in the world. In the last two years, the price paid to rubber farmers has plunged from approximately 190 Baht per kilo (about $6.10 US) to 52 Baht per kilo (about $1.60 US). It costs about 65 Baht per kilo to produce rubber ($2.05 US). A rubber farmer in southern Thailand committed suicide over the weekend, allegedly because the low prices meant he couldn't provide for his family. Other rubber farmers have taken jobs in the construction trade or in Bangkok to provide for their families during the slump.    PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    ThaiRubberCrisis037.jpg
  • 02 SEPTEMBER 2014 - BO THONG, CHONBURI, THAILAND: A worker at Bothong Rubber Fund Cooperative in Bo Thong, Chonburi, Thailand, pulls rubber sheets off hangers after they were dried in a large smoker. Thailand is the leading rubber exporter in the world. In the last two years, the price paid to rubber farmers has plunged from approximately 190 Baht per kilo (about $6.10 US) to 52 Baht per kilo (about $1.60 US). It costs about 65 Baht per kilo to produce rubber ($2.05 US). A rubber farmer in southern Thailand committed suicide over the weekend, allegedly because the low prices meant he couldn't provide for his family. Other rubber farmers have taken jobs in the construction trade or in Bangkok to provide for their families during the slump.    PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    ThaiRubberCrisis034.jpg
  • 02 SEPTEMBER 2014 - BO THONG, CHONBURI, THAILAND: A worker at Bothong Rubber Fund Cooperative in Bo Thong, Chonburi, Thailand, hangs rubber sheets before putting them in a large smoker to dry after the sheets were washed. Thailand is the leading rubber exporter in the world. In the last two years, the price paid to rubber farmers has plunged from approximately 190 Baht per kilo (about $6.10 US) to 52 Baht per kilo (about $1.60 US). It costs about 65 Baht per kilo to produce rubber ($2.05 US). A rubber farmer in southern Thailand committed suicide over the weekend, allegedly because the low prices meant he couldn't provide for his family. Other rubber farmers have taken jobs in the construction trade or in Bangkok to provide for their families during the slump.    PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    ThaiRubberCrisis028.jpg
  • 02 SEPTEMBER 2014 - BO THONG, CHONBURI, THAILAND: A worker at Bothong Rubber Fund Cooperative in Bo Thong, Chonburi, Thailand, hangs rubber sheets before putting them in a large smoker to dry after the sheets were washed. Thailand is the leading rubber exporter in the world. In the last two years, the price paid to rubber farmers has plunged from approximately 190 Baht per kilo (about $6.10 US) to 52 Baht per kilo (about $1.60 US). It costs about 65 Baht per kilo to produce rubber ($2.05 US). A rubber farmer in southern Thailand committed suicide over the weekend, allegedly because the low prices meant he couldn't provide for his family. Other rubber farmers have taken jobs in the construction trade or in Bangkok to provide for their families during the slump.    PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    ThaiRubberCrisis026.jpg
  • 02 SEPTEMBER 2014 - BO THONG, CHONBURI, THAILAND: A worker at Bothong Rubber Fund Cooperative in Bo Thong, Chonburi, Thailand, washes rubber sheets purchased from area rubber farmers. Thailand is the leading rubber exporter in the world. In the last two years, the price paid to rubber farmers has plunged from approximately 190 Baht per kilo (about $6.10 US) to 52 Baht per kilo (about $1.60 US). It costs about 65 Baht per kilo to produce rubber ($2.05 US). A rubber farmer in southern Thailand committed suicide over the weekend, allegedly because the low prices meant he couldn't provide for his family. Other rubber farmers have taken jobs in the construction trade or in Bangkok to provide for their families during the slump.    PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    ThaiRubberCrisis019.jpg
  • 02 SEPTEMBER 2014 - BO THONG, CHONBURI, THAILAND: A worker at Bothong Rubber Fund Cooperative in Bo Thong, Chonburi, Thailand, washes rubber sheets purchased from area rubber farmers. Thailand is the leading rubber exporter in the world. In the last two years, the price paid to rubber farmers has plunged from approximately 190 Baht per kilo (about $6.10 US) to 52 Baht per kilo (about $1.60 US). It costs about 65 Baht per kilo to produce rubber ($2.05 US). A rubber farmer in southern Thailand committed suicide over the weekend, allegedly because the low prices meant he couldn't provide for his family. Other rubber farmers have taken jobs in the construction trade or in Bangkok to provide for their families during the slump.    PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    ThaiRubberCrisis017.jpg
  • 02 MARCH 2014 - MYAWADDY, KAYIN, MYANMAR (BURMA): A rice sellers watches a movie on his laptop in the main market in Mywaddy, Myanmar. Myawaddy is separated from the Thai border town of Mae Sot by the Moei River. Myawaddy is the most important trading point between Myanmar (Burma) and Thailand.     PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    MyawaddyMyanmar0302035.jpg
  • 15 DECEMBER 2014 - KLAENG, RAYONG, THAILAND: Workers sort dried rubber sheets at a quality control station at Supark, a rubber processing plant in Klaeng, Thailand. Thailand is the second leading rubber exporter in the world. In the last two years, the price paid to rubber farmers has plunged from approximately 190 Baht per kilo (about $6.10 US) to 45 Baht per kilo (about $1.20 US). It costs about 65 Baht per kilo to produce rubber ($2.05 US). Prices have plunged 5 percent since September, when rubber was about 52Baht per kilo. Some rubber farmers have taken jobs in the construction trade or in Bangkok to provide for their families during the slump. The Thai government recently announced a "Rubber Fund" to assist small farm owners but said prices won't rebound until production is cut and world demand for rubber picks up.      PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    RubberCrisisContinues073.jpg
  • 15 DECEMBER 2014 - KLAENG, RAYONG, THAILAND: A worker stacks dried rubber into bales at Supark, a rubber processing plant in Klaeng, Thailand. Thailand is the second leading rubber exporter in the world. In the last two years, the price paid to rubber farmers has plunged from approximately 190 Baht per kilo (about $6.10 US) to 45 Baht per kilo (about $1.20 US). It costs about 65 Baht per kilo to produce rubber ($2.05 US). Prices have plunged 5 percent since September, when rubber was about 52Baht per kilo. Some rubber farmers have taken jobs in the construction trade or in Bangkok to provide for their families during the slump. The Thai government recently announced a "Rubber Fund" to assist small farm owners but said prices won't rebound until production is cut and world demand for rubber picks up.      PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    RubberCrisisContinues072.jpg
  • 15 DECEMBER 2014 - KLAENG, RAYONG, THAILAND: A worker sorts dried rubber sheets at a quality control station at Supark, a rubber processing plant in Klaeng, Thailand. Thailand is the second leading rubber exporter in the world. In the last two years, the price paid to rubber farmers has plunged from approximately 190 Baht per kilo (about $6.10 US) to 45 Baht per kilo (about $1.20 US). It costs about 65 Baht per kilo to produce rubber ($2.05 US). Prices have plunged 5 percent since September, when rubber was about 52Baht per kilo. Some rubber farmers have taken jobs in the construction trade or in Bangkok to provide for their families during the slump. The Thai government recently announced a "Rubber Fund" to assist small farm owners but said prices won't rebound until production is cut and world demand for rubber picks up.       PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    RubberCrisisContinues069.jpg
  • 15 DECEMBER 2014 - KLAENG, RAYONG, THAILAND: A worker sorts dried rubber sheets at a quality control station at Supark, a rubber processing plant in Klaeng, Thailand. Thailand is the second leading rubber exporter in the world. In the last two years, the price paid to rubber farmers has plunged from approximately 190 Baht per kilo (about $6.10 US) to 45 Baht per kilo (about $1.20 US). It costs about 65 Baht per kilo to produce rubber ($2.05 US). Prices have plunged 5 percent since September, when rubber was about 52Baht per kilo. Some rubber farmers have taken jobs in the construction trade or in Bangkok to provide for their families during the slump. The Thai government recently announced a "Rubber Fund" to assist small farm owners but said prices won't rebound until production is cut and world demand for rubber picks up.       PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    RubberCrisisContinues068.jpg
  • 15 DECEMBER 2014 - KLAENG, RAYONG, THAILAND: A worker sorts dried rubber sheets at a quality control station at Supark, a rubber processing plant in Klaeng, Thailand. Thailand is the second leading rubber exporter in the world. In the last two years, the price paid to rubber farmers has plunged from approximately 190 Baht per kilo (about $6.10 US) to 45 Baht per kilo (about $1.20 US). It costs about 65 Baht per kilo to produce rubber ($2.05 US). Prices have plunged 5 percent since September, when rubber was about 52Baht per kilo. Some rubber farmers have taken jobs in the construction trade or in Bangkok to provide for their families during the slump. The Thai government recently announced a "Rubber Fund" to assist small farm owners but said prices won't rebound until production is cut and world demand for rubber picks up.       PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    RubberCrisisContinues066.jpg
  • 15 DECEMBER 2014 - KLAENG, RAYONG, THAILAND: A worker hangs rubber sheets to dry them after they were washed at Supark, a rubber processing plant in Klaeng, Thailand. Thailand is the second leading rubber exporter in the world. In the last two years, the price paid to rubber farmers has plunged from approximately 190 Baht per kilo (about $6.10 US) to 45 Baht per kilo (about $1.20 US). It costs about 65 Baht per kilo to produce rubber ($2.05 US). Prices have plunged 5 percent since September, when rubber was about 52Baht per kilo. Some rubber farmers have taken jobs in the construction trade or in Bangkok to provide for their families during the slump. The Thai government recently announced a "Rubber Fund" to assist small farm owners but said prices won't rebound until production is cut and world demand for rubber picks up.      PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    RubberCrisisContinues065.jpg
  • 15 DECEMBER 2014 - KLAENG, RAYONG, THAILAND: A worker rinses off rubber sheets at Supark, a rubber processing plant in Klaeng, Thailand. Thailand is the second leading rubber exporter in the world. In the last two years, the price paid to rubber farmers has plunged from approximately 190 Baht per kilo (about $6.10 US) to 45 Baht per kilo (about $1.20 US). It costs about 65 Baht per kilo to produce rubber ($2.05 US). Prices have plunged 5 percent since September, when rubber was about 52Baht per kilo. Some rubber farmers have taken jobs in the construction trade or in Bangkok to provide for their families during the slump. The Thai government recently announced a "Rubber Fund" to assist small farm owners but said prices won't rebound until production is cut and world demand for rubber picks up.      PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    RubberCrisisContinues064.jpg
  • 15 DECEMBER 2014 - KLAENG, RAYONG, THAILAND: A worker rinses off rubber sheets at Supark, a rubber processing plant in Klaeng, Thailand. Thailand is the second leading rubber exporter in the world. In the last two years, the price paid to rubber farmers has plunged from approximately 190 Baht per kilo (about $6.10 US) to 45 Baht per kilo (about $1.20 US). It costs about 65 Baht per kilo to produce rubber ($2.05 US). Prices have plunged 5 percent since September, when rubber was about 52Baht per kilo. Some rubber farmers have taken jobs in the construction trade or in Bangkok to provide for their families during the slump. The Thai government recently announced a "Rubber Fund" to assist small farm owners but said prices won't rebound until production is cut and world demand for rubber picks up.      PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    RubberCrisisContinues062.jpg
  • 15 DECEMBER 2014 - KLAENG, RAYONG, THAILAND: A worker rinses off rubber sheets at Supark, a rubber processing plant in Klaeng, Thailand. Thailand is the second leading rubber exporter in the world. In the last two years, the price paid to rubber farmers has plunged from approximately 190 Baht per kilo (about $6.10 US) to 45 Baht per kilo (about $1.20 US). It costs about 65 Baht per kilo to produce rubber ($2.05 US). Prices have plunged 5 percent since September, when rubber was about 52Baht per kilo. Some rubber farmers have taken jobs in the construction trade or in Bangkok to provide for their families during the slump. The Thai government recently announced a "Rubber Fund" to assist small farm owners but said prices won't rebound until production is cut and world demand for rubber picks up.      PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    RubberCrisisContinues061.jpg
  • 15 DECEMBER 2014 - KLAENG, RAYONG, THAILAND: TA worker stacks rubber sheets at Supark, a rubber processing plant in Klaeng, Thailand. Thailand is the second leading rubber exporter in the world. In the last two years, the price paid to rubber farmers has plunged from approximately 190 Baht per kilo (about $6.10 US) to 45 Baht per kilo (about $1.20 US). It costs about 65 Baht per kilo to produce rubber ($2.05 US). Prices have plunged 5 percent since September, when rubber was about 52Baht per kilo. Some rubber farmers have taken jobs in the construction trade or in Bangkok to provide for their families during the slump. The Thai government recently announced a "Rubber Fund" to assist small farm owners but said prices won't rebound until production is cut and world demand for rubber picks up.      PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    RubberCrisisContinues059.jpg
  • 15 DECEMBER 2014 - KLAENG, RAYONG, THAILAND: TA worker stacks rubber sheets at Supark, a rubber processing plant in Klaeng, Thailand. Thailand is the second leading rubber exporter in the world. In the last two years, the price paid to rubber farmers has plunged from approximately 190 Baht per kilo (about $6.10 US) to 45 Baht per kilo (about $1.20 US). It costs about 65 Baht per kilo to produce rubber ($2.05 US). Prices have plunged 5 percent since September, when rubber was about 52Baht per kilo. Some rubber farmers have taken jobs in the construction trade or in Bangkok to provide for their families during the slump. The Thai government recently announced a "Rubber Fund" to assist small farm owners but said prices won't rebound until production is cut and world demand for rubber picks up.      PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    RubberCrisisContinues058.jpg
  • 15 DECEMBER 2014 - KLAENG, RAYONG, THAILAND: TA worker stacks rubber sheets at Supark, a rubber processing plant in Klaeng, Thailand. Thailand is the second leading rubber exporter in the world. In the last two years, the price paid to rubber farmers has plunged from approximately 190 Baht per kilo (about $6.10 US) to 45 Baht per kilo (about $1.20 US). It costs about 65 Baht per kilo to produce rubber ($2.05 US). Prices have plunged 5 percent since September, when rubber was about 52Baht per kilo. Some rubber farmers have taken jobs in the construction trade or in Bangkok to provide for their families during the slump. The Thai government recently announced a "Rubber Fund" to assist small farm owners but said prices won't rebound until production is cut and world demand for rubber picks up.      PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    RubberCrisisContinues057.jpg
  • 15 DECEMBER 2014 - KLAENG, RAYONG, THAILAND: TA worker stacks rubber sheets at Supark, a rubber processing plant in Klaeng, Thailand. Thailand is the second leading rubber exporter in the world. In the last two years, the price paid to rubber farmers has plunged from approximately 190 Baht per kilo (about $6.10 US) to 45 Baht per kilo (about $1.20 US). It costs about 65 Baht per kilo to produce rubber ($2.05 US). Prices have plunged 5 percent since September, when rubber was about 52Baht per kilo. Some rubber farmers have taken jobs in the construction trade or in Bangkok to provide for their families during the slump. The Thai government recently announced a "Rubber Fund" to assist small farm owners but said prices won't rebound until production is cut and world demand for rubber picks up.      PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    RubberCrisisContinues056.jpg
  • 15 DECEMBER 2014 - CHUM SAENG, RAYONG, THAILAND: A worker weighs rubber sheets bought from farmers at a business that buys rubber and resells it to processing plants in Chum Saeng, Thailand. Thailand is the second leading rubber exporter in the world. In the last two years, the price paid to rubber farmers has plunged from approximately 190 Baht per kilo (about $6.10 US) to 45 Baht per kilo (about $1.20 US). It costs about 65 Baht per kilo to produce rubber ($2.05 US). Prices have plunged 5 percent since September, when rubber was about 52Baht per kilo. Some rubber farmers have taken jobs in the construction trade or in Bangkok to provide for their families during the slump. The Thai government recently announced a "Rubber Fund" to assist small farm owners but said prices won't rebound until production is cut and world demand for rubber picks up.     PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
    RubberCrisisContinues055.jpg
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Jack Kurtz, Photojournalist & Travel Photographer

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