Thailand Rice Convention 2019 held in Bangkok

BANGKOK, May 28 (TNA) - A number of Thai farmers from across the country and international rice academics and experts are gathering in Bangkok for the "Thailand Rice Convention 2019", the 9th of its kind. The Thai government, through the Ministry of Commerce, organizes the "Thailand Rice Convention 2019" in the capital during May 27-29 when the over 800 participants are gathering for scheduled sessions and activities. Delivering a speech at the international forum on Tuesday, Thai Permanent Secretary for Commerce Boonyarit Kalayanamit acknowledged rice as the staple food in the Thai Kingdom. "Rice is significant for Thailand in many dimensions, including for the national economy and security and for the socio-cultural and environmental aspects historically", said Boonyarit. The senior official praised over 4 million Thai rice farmers nationwide for producing a large amount of grains yearly for both the domestic consumption and exports. The senior official quoted official statistics as indicating that Thailand, as a world top rice exporter, generally ships about 10 million tons of grains to serve global consumers annually, earning the Kingdom over 150 billion baht yearly. The senior official stated that in 2017 alone, Thailand's exports of rice hit a historic high at 11.67 million tons. International rice academics and experts participating in the three-day "Thailand Rice Convention 2019" include those from China, Japan, Iran, Iraq, the United States, Canada, Russia and Spain, as well as those from other member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), namely Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines and Vietnam. (TNA)