Natural rubber is a significant economic crop in Thailand. Since 1991, Thailand has been the world’s top producer and exporter of natural rubber. In 2021, Thailand had tapping areas of 3.50 million hectares with a yield of 5.17 million tons, 925,808 tons for domestic consumption, and 4.18 million tons for export (Rubber Division of the Department of Agriculture). Most rubber plantations, as well as rubber processing factories, are in the south of Thailand, especially Nakhon Si Thammarat Province, the third largest rubber plantation in Thailand. It has approximately 8% of the country's tapping area and productivity. Furthermore, Nakhon Si Thammarat Province has many establishments in the rubber processing industry. Moreover, the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives Thailand has proposed the establishment of "Rubber Valley" to promote the rubber industry in all aspects, using an area of 6,560 hectares, at Krung Yan Subdistrict, Thung Yai District, Nakhon Si Thammarat Province with the supervision of the Rubber Authority of Thailand (RAOT). In addition, it aims to be the center point in ASEAN in terms of data sources, learning, production, processing, and exports. It also aims to be a source of research and development in innovations specific to natural rubber for those who are interested in visiting and studying natural rubber in all aspects.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, in collaboration with the Rubber Authority of Thailand (RAOT) and other relevant agencies, held Rubber Expo 2021 "City of Rubber Innovation" on April 8–10, 2022, at the Rubber Authority of Thailand Central South District, Chang Klang District, Nakhon Si Thammarat Province. The event presents an exhibition of knowledge, technology, rubber innovations, and a comprehensive view of rubber farmers' lives. The event provides many exhibition zones and activities, such as the exhibition zone in honor of His Majesty the King, the exhibition zone of Rubber City, the exhibition zone of Phraya Ratsadanupradit Mahisorn Phakdi, the rubber innovations zone of the Rubber Authority of Thailand (RAOT), etc. Furthermore, RAOT also opened a business matching and market zone to exhibit and sell rubber innovation products. In addition, RAOT has launched the Rubber Way application that helps facilitate sustainable rubber plantation along with environmental conservation and creates opportunities for trade competition in the digital era. RAOT also launched the Rubbee application, which collects and updates interesting information about rubber in real-time, including rubber prices, news, activities, benefits, and various promotions for membership. Both applications aim to support the lifestyle of rubber farmers in the digital era by quickly getting useful and accurate rubber information. Another important activity was the discussion meeting on rubber innovation. In this regard, Mr. Supadetch Ongsakul was honored to participate in the discussion meeting on "Rubber Innovation and Thailand's Rubber Future" on April 9, 2022. 

Rubber Expo 2021 "City of Rubber Innovation" is the event that plays a significant role in building the sustainable rubber industry of Thailand, adding rubber values, and increasing income as well as stability for rubber farmers, following Thailand's Rubber Strategy. The Thai Rubber Association (TRA) is pleased to support the Rubber Expo 2021 "City of Rubber Innovation" and would like to invite interested parties to visit the event. For those interested, kindly contact the Authority of Thailand (RAOT) for more information

Mr.Chaiyos Sincharoenkul

President

The Thai Rubber Association