Asia’s deadliest roads - in Thailand - are getting US$2.8bil makeover

This photo taken on April 3, 2020 shows empty roads in Thailand's southern province of Narathiwat, during a nationwide night curfew aimed at stemming the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus. - AFP

BANGKOK: The home to Asia’s deadliest roads may have found a way to make its highways safer using rubber -- while helping the economy in the process.

Thailand is the world’s biggest producer of rubber. But a drop in demand from global automakers has driven down the price. Millions of Thai growers and tappers are being squeezed by the need for fewer tires and car parts.