Commerce Minister Boonsong Teriyapirom dreams of seeing the price of Hom Mali rice at 30,000 baht a tonne in the global market if rice-producing countries in this region can only cooperate and not undercut the price.

Thailand will soon host a joint trade committee meeting between Thailand and Cambodia to explore opportunities on expansion of trade and investment.

Highlighted on the agenda is cooperation on trade of rice and other farm products.

The ministry plans to expand cooperation to other Asean countries such as Vietnam, Laos and Myanmar to help them with their farm product production.

"An initial discussion shows all countries are willing to work together to become leaders in producing and determining the world's rice price, as well as developing and upgrading the quality of Asean rice," said Mr Boonsong.

The current global rice market is in the hand of consumers, causing concerns over the volume of rice exports among Thai exporters who want to maintain the global first rank regardless of the quality or the price.

Mr Boonsong said each country must act in tandem to release their rice into the market without causing a price war, and this will result in economic improvements in rice-producing countries.

"If we can achieve this sort of cooperation, then the price of Thai Hom Mali rice could rise to 30,000 baht a tonne," he said.

The Commerce Ministry must develop lab tests to determine rice quality, and Thailand, as the exporter of quality Hom Mali, should set its own standard for this type of rice, said Mr Boonsong.

Yanyong Phuangrach, the commerce permanent secretary, said exporters were not happy with the government's policy of upgrading paddy price, as they cannot compete with competitors.

However, Thai exporters should adjust themselves, as the government will continue to help farmers get a higher paddy price, he said.

Source: Bangkok Post