Thai farmers use a press to flatten rubber sheets at a farm in Thailand's southern province of Narathiwat on September 2, 2010. Thailand on September 2 ordered the central bank to keep a close eye on the baht and 'prepare measures' after the currency soared to a 29-month high against the US dollar, Finance Minister Korn Chatikavanij said, adding that the Bank of Thailand said the currency's strength was mostly based on the positive balance of trade -- reflecting robust exports -- rather than speculation. Thailand is the world's largest rubber exporter. (Getty Images)

Thai farmers step on rubber sheets to stretch them at a farm in Thailand's southern province of Narathiwat on September 2, 2010. (Getty Images)

"Thailand: World Supplier of Natural Rubber" (pdf file)