The Thai Rice Exporters Association is asking the Board of Trade to meditate with the government over a delay in a 2.6 million-ton rice deal.

President of the Thai Rice Exporters Association, Chookiat Ophaswongse, stated that there will be a meeting with the Board of Trade today to discuss the case of 17 exporters who hold contracts to buy 2.6 million tons of rice from the government but have not been allowed to remove the rice from warehouses. The rice export situation will also be discussed in the meeting.

Ponglarp Company Board Chairman Sompong Kittirianglarp said he is asking the Board of Trade to mediate with the government for permission to remove rice from the warehouses in order to deliver it to customers. He noted that now the customers are waiting for shipments and the company needs to buy rice from rice mills at very high prices.

Sompong said the Commerce Ministry has informed the exporters that the Office of the Attorney-General will conclude whether the contracts between the ministry and 17 exporters can be cancelled within two weeks. If the contracts are cancelled, the government will have to set clearer regulations for all traders. He added that all 17 exporters are ready to negotiate with the government.

Sompong also said today that he will file a compliant with the Administrative Court to seek permission to remove the rice from warehouses. He also noted that the company has sustained damaged from the government's mistake.

Seven exporters won the bidding on May 6th, including Siam Indiga, Asia Golden Rice, Ponglarp, Capital Cereals, Chaiyaporn Rice and Food Products, Singto Thong and CP Intertrade.

Source: TANN