At least 8.5 million rai of rice fields, which can produce 4 million to 5 million tonnes of paddy rice, have already been destroyed by flooding, according to the Commerce Ministry.

The harvest loss is expected to gradually push up the price of Thai rice this year.

Permanent secretary Yanyong Phuangrach said yesterday that the flooding would cause the main rice crop to miss the forecast of 24-25 million tonnes. Both the domestic and export prices of Thai rice will increase gradually.

Despite the lower supply of rice, the ministry insists that it will go ahead with the launch of the pledging project for the main crop on Friday as planned.

Rice farmers affected by flooding will receive compensation at Bt3,659 per rai, up from the earlier rate of Bt2,222, when the budget was raised last week.

According to the ministry's preliminary report, more than 5 million rai of other crops in 55 provinces have also been washed out.

That includes about 4,000 rai of cassava, 3,200 rai of rubber and 100,138 rai of vegetable and fruit plantations. The remaining areas grow other field crops.

The flooding has also devastated 7,408 fish farms and 33,585 livestock farms.

Source: The Nation