A cornerstone of the regional economy. Watch for protests to any anti-jihad resistance the government may mount (if it mounts any at all): “No blood for rubber!”
From AP, with thanks to Twostellas:
BANGKOK, Thailand — Suspected Muslim insurgents in southern Thailand set fire Wednesday to a large warehouse for rubber — a cornerstone of the region’s economy — with firefighters unable to control the raging blaze for hours, police said….
The fire followed a bold, coordinated assault by separatist rebels which killed eight people and wounded nearly 70 in a 24-hour period beginning Sunday night. Three people were arrested shortly after the attacks, Lt. Gen. Viroj Buajaroon, regional commander for the south, said Tuesday.
Police said suspected rebels set fire to the largest rubber warehouse in Yala, owned by the Southern Land Rubber Co., shortly after midnight and it was still burning more than eight hours later.