Published on May 07, 2005

Price to rise

The Commerce Ministry said the price of jasmine paddy rice would increase to Bt20,000 a tonne within the next five years.

Commerce Ministry Thanong Bidaya said yesterday that rising demand for Thai jasmine rice in the world market was an important factor in that goal being achieved. The ministry aims to ensure jasmine rice doubles in price by 2010 from Bt10,000 a tonne now.

“Jasmine rice should have an average price of Bt20 a kilogramme,” he said.

To achieve the aim, the ministry will work more closely with the Thai Rice-Exporters’ Association and rice traders to boost exports. Cooperation will mainly focus on upgrading the local paddy price, which will automatically force up the export price. – The Nation.

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EMIRATES: More flights

Emirates, the Dubai-based international airline, has added four additional weekly flights to its Dubai-Bangkok-Sydney service.

Emirates now operates daily and extends onward from Sydney to Auckland, creating a new connection between Auckland and Bangkok. On the route, the company uses its new Boeing 777-300ER aircraft with luxury services such as flat beds and privacy partitions in first class.

Emirates senior executive Richard Vaughan said the new daily direct air connection would bring business and tourism benefits to Thailand and New Zealand.

“This new air link is particularly well-timed given the recent New Zealand–Thailand trade deal, which will boost business and mark a growing relationship between the two countries,” he said.

Tony Smith, who represents the Tourism Authority of Thailand in New Zealand, said: “The Emirates service will provide a great stimulus to tourism between the two countries.” – The Nation.

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