Thailand opens genetic testing centre to improve its rice
Thailand has opened a genetic testing centre to improve its rice after Hom Mali (jasmine) grain was dethroned by a Cambodian rice variety at the World Rice Conference last month.
Rice is sold at a store in Narathiwat, a southern province of Thailand. (Photo: AFP/VNA)
Bangkok (VNA) 🐽– Thailand has opened agenetic testing centre to improve its rice after Hom Mali (jasmine) grain wasdethroned by a Cambodian rice variety at the World Rice Conference last month.
Ronnarong Phoolpipat, chief of the Department of ForeignTrade (DFT) under Thailand’s Ministry of Commerce, said that the centreat Ubon Ratchathani Rice Research Centre will boost Thailand’s exportcompetitiveness in line with the country’s rice development plan between 2020and 2024. The DNA testing service will help rice farmers, millersand traders ensure the authenticity of their products via rapid genetic testsat low cost. The service aims to strengthen the internationalreputation of Thai rice and create an advantage amid fierce competition, hesaid. Thai HomMali rice (Jasmine Rice) is native to Thailand and considered the pride of thenation. It was recognised with the World’s Best Rice Award 2021for a second consecutive year. The “Jasmine” name comes from the color of itsgrain which is white as the jasmine flower. From January to October 2022, Hom Mali rice exportsreached 1.28 million tonnes, up 27% over the same period last year. According to DFT, Thailand is likely to meet its exporttarget of 7.5 million tonnes of rice this year and may even exceed the targetof 8.58 million tonnes. Ronnarong said that Iraq imported 1.3 million tonnes ofThai rice in the first 10 months of this year, helping the country's riceexports increase by 500% over the same period last year. Thailand’s rice exports to two key markets - the US andthe Philippines - increased by 25% and 44% respectively./.
The Thai government is moving towards the third phase of Thailand's digital landscape development plan in a bid to reach the top 30 of the World Digital Competitiveness Ranking, with the digital economy contributing 30% of the country's GDP in five years.
Thai Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwan recently endorsed in principle a large-scale plan to tackle flooding and drought across the country that will require a budget of 337.7 billion THB (9.7 billion USD).
More than 8.1 million Thai people are poor, including 4.4 million living below the poverty line, according to the latest report by the Office of the National Economics and Social Development Council (NESDC).
The article stressed that throughout his revolutionary career, the founder of modern Vietnam consistently regarded the revolutionary press as a vital part of the Vietnamese Party’s and nation’s revolutionary struggle.
Pichai said the trade talks with the US are important and need to move forward professionally, without regard for any political changes in Thailand, believing that Thailand has clear principles, guidelines and procedures in place.
The tax adjustment supports the Malaysian Government’s strategy to reduce reliance on foreign food supply chains and to assist domestic farmers, a finance official has said.
The proposed venue is located in the Chatuchak area of Bangkok, featuring eight public sites, including Krungthep Aphiwat Central Terminal and several nearby parks.
Connectivity is expected to improve further with the completion of the fifth Laos–Thailand Friendship Bridge by the end of 2025, facilitating logistics and agricultural exports to Vietnam, Thailand, and China.
Two naval gunboats intercepted a fishing vessel carrying 1.5 tonnes of methamphetamine hydrochloride off the coast of the main island of Luzon just before dawn, in a joint operation with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency.
In the today context of socio-economic development and growth, the professionalism of Vietnam’s revolutionary journalists continues to rise, guided by exemplary mastery of new information technologies and the modernisation of their founding principles to preserve the enduring values of revolutionary journalism.
Thai Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Commerce Vuttikrai Leewiraphan Thailand's formal proposal will be substantial enough for the US to consider further detailed negotiations. He hoped for a tariff rate not exceeding 10% and suggested that the US might extend the negotiation period if an agreement is not reached by the July 8 deadline.
Organised by the Ministry of Culture and the Association of Thai Silk & Culture Promotions, the event honors Her Majesty the Queen on her 47th birthday anniversary and promotes Thai craftsmanship on an international stage.
Prensa Latina's recent article on Vietnam’s assurance of smooth and effective transition to a leaner structure highlighted Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh’s latest directions on implementing 28 resolutions regarding the decentralisation and delegation of authority.
The lab focuses on four key thematic areas: energy transition and green innovation, sustainable agriculture, circular economy and sustainable cities, and nature-based solutions and biodiversity.
The key content of the document titled "Accelerating Innovative Strategies: Addressing the OOSCY Challenges" will be refined further in a seminar preceding the 47th ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur this October.
This follows Telegram’s serious failure to address the content that has been repeatedly reported to them, despite various efforts of negotiation and cooperation made by MCMC, it said.
Efforts to empower women must transcend dialogue and translate into concrete commitments, including corporate pledges and government partnerships, according to the spouse of Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.
The forum featured two in-depth discussion sessions, engaging representatives from governments, think tanks, and businesses from both ASEAN and China, on how to forge closer ties for a common future.
The new FIFA Hub in Jakarta will not only support football development in Indonesia but also serve as a coordination centre for 21 football associations across Southeast and East Asia.
Minister Counselor Nguyen Hoang Nguyen reaffirmed Vietnam’s principled and consistent stance on the Palestine issue, calling for an immediate and lasting ceasefire across the entire Gaza Strip.
PM Anwar Ibrahim affirmed the determination of Malaysia, as ASEAN Chair for 2025, to utilise all viable regional mechanisms of the bloc and work with partners to de-escalate violence and restore a peace process led by Myanmar.
Talking to the Vietnam News Agency on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the Vietnam’s Revolutionary Press Day (June 21, 1925–2025), Nikulina, who is also a veteran journalist of Russia’s Sputnik News, emphasised the vital role of mainstream journalism in defending the truth and maintaining public trust.
Rice is sold at a store in Narathiwat, a southern province of Thailand. (Photo: AFP/VNA) 
