Thai rubber farmers feel \\\"betrayed\\\" by military government

BANGKOK, Aug 26 (Reuters): Thai rubber farmers who supported anti-government protests that led to a military coup in May say they feel betrayed because the ruling military is failing to help soften the blow of plunging rubber prices.

Thailand is the world's largest rubber producer and exporter, but falling prices and a decision by the military not to extend subsidies risks alienating rubber farmers, most of whom are in the south.

Rubber farmer Somkid Unping joined demonstrations that began late last year, backed by the royalist establishment and aimed at bringing down the populist government of then Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra.

The government was ousted in a May 22 coup but Somkid, from the southern province of Surat Thani, said his hopes for a better deal for rubber farmers in return for their loyalty had been dashed.

"We stayed for months because we believed that a new government would not neglect us," Somkid said.

The junta has tried to step back from a culture of subsidies across the agricultural sector although junta leader General Prayuth Chan-ocha, who became prime minister on Monday, has said the government would offer some help, including soft loans for producers to buy fertilizer.

But disgruntled farmers say that is not enough.

Six rubber farmers' associations are expected to meet General Chatchai Sarikalaya, a member of the ruling National Council for Peace and Order, on Monday to voice their concern.