Thai Government tells rice farmers to choose another crop
The government has called on farmers across the country to grow plants that require less water than rice amid the ongoing risk of drought. “Farmers, for example, can grow corn-for-animal feed and pods instead,” government spokesman Maj-General Sansern Kaewkamnerd said on 4 October. Keep reading ...
Thailand to tap rice stockpile to maintain export levels
Rice exports from Thailand may be steady next year as the world’s biggest shipper taps state inventories to offset a possible decline in production amid dry weather. Keep reading ...
Thai rice illegally imported into Myanmar
As domestic rice prices increase, cheaper and higher quality rice is now being illegally imported from Thailand, Myanmar rice traders say. Speculation over rice shortages since nationwide flooding in July and August increased transportation costs in some areas, and high production costs for farmers have driven ...
Rising anger in Thailand's boom-to-bust northeast
The rural heartland of Thailand’s deposed leader Yingluck Shinawatra and her exiled billionaire brother Thaksin is hurting as a result of the military government’s economic policies, stirring discontent and the threat of protests. The removal of generous agricultural subsidies has left rice farmers in northeast Thailand ...
Rice mill owner acquitted of Bt11m embezzlement
Thailand’s Appeals Court has acquitted the owner of the Nopporn rice mill for their roles in the alleged use of forged warehouse receipts to embezzle rice worth Bt11 million, but upheld suspended jail terms for nine farmers in a case involving 750 tonnes of rice. Keep reading ...
New terms for year's seventh rice auction
Authorities have pledged to closely supervise the government’s next auction of rice stockpiles to limit any negative effect on domestic prices and protect the reputation of Thai rice. Duangporn Rodphaya, director-general of the Foreign Trade Department, said provincial officials were expected to complete the inspection ...
Mekong Delta farmers warned climate change to affect livelihood
If there are no reasonable solutions to adapt to climate change, Mekong River Delta residents will have to scale down their agricultural production in the near future, or go bankrupt because of lack of materials for production. The warning has been repeatedly given by experts at ...
Heavy rains likely to lower yields in Vietnam's Mekong Delta
The paddy yields in the Mekong River Delta area of Vietnam are likely to decline by about 10-20% due to heavy rains that hit the region last week, according to local sources. Keep reading ...
Thai farmers plea for debt relief if second rice crop again banned
Farmers’ leaders have called for an interest-free debt moratorium of 5-10 years if the government bans the planting of a second rice crop for the third time this year. Thai Farmers Association chairman Wichian Puanglamjiak on 22 September said if the the government asks farmers to not to plant second-crop ...
Festive period likely to boost rice prices
Rice prices are forecast to increase by as much as 10% late this year and early next year thanks to year-end festive celebrations and lower supply. Chookiat Ophaswongse, an honorary president of the Thai Rice Exporters Association, said rice prices were likely to rise by 8-10% ...