After Egypt, Thailand wants to grow Basmati and export it to West Asia

After Egypt, Thailand has now come up with an ambitious move to grow Basmati rice targeting West Asia, particularly the Saudia Arabian market.

The development comes on the heels of Bangkok reviving full diplomatic ties with Saudi Arabia recently. Bilateral ties between both nations had been affected for nearly three decades. 

PM’s Chan-o-cha instructions

Thailand’s English daily Bangkok Post said in an editorial “Don’t rush Basmati” that its Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha had instructed “relevant agencies to expand cooperation with Saudi Arabia in the agricultural sector including developing plantations of Basmati for export to Saudi Arabia”. 

It quoted the Thai government spokesman Thanakorn Wangboonkongchana’s statement last week to point out that Saudi demand for the aromatic rice is nearly 30 million tonnes (mt). 

The daily said it was a good move to promote…