EU's approves GI registration for Thailand's Hom Mali rice

BANGKOK, March 5 (TNA) - The European Union (EU) has already registered the geographical indication (GI) for Thailand’s fragrant or Hom Mali Thung Kula Ronghai Rice, taken effect from March 4, 2013, prompting the Kingdom to also soon seek the EU's registration of the GI for Sangyod rice from the southern Thai Phatthalung province, recognized for its high nutrients, and a northeastern Thai silk thread. Pajchima Tanasanti, Director-General of the Ministry of Commerce's Department of Intellectual Property, confirmed on Tuesday that the EU has already registered the GI for Thailand’s Hom Mali rice, making the quality Thai fragrant rice become the first GI-labelled product of the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) bearing the Protected Geographical Indication logo of the huge 27-member EU bloc and being a tool to make the Thai rice a premium product on the world market. Pajchima acknowledged that Thailand will also soon seek the EU's registration of the GI for Sangyod rice, which is rich in nutrients and can help cure diabetes, as Sangyod rice has also been exported to Europe. According to the senior official, Thailand plans to seek the GI registration for a northeastern silk thread in neighbouring Vietnam and later in the EU as well, as the Thai silk thread is a non-agricultural handicraft product eligible for GI registration. The senior Thai official revealed that the Chinese government has also proposed to seal a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Thailand on the GI registration and has persuaded Thailand to have the Hom Mali rice registered for the GI in China, where the Thai rice is popular among Chinese people. Regarding a planned legal amendment to include the smell and sound aspects of products in Thailand's trade mark law, the senior official said the Senate has resolved to postpone the move for another two more years. (TNA)