Under the agreement, rice exporters of the two countries will meet every three months to discuss trends in prices, which will serve as a basis for their plans on production and exports.

Vietnam's rice exports since mid-May have heated up, with several African clients coming back.

The price of exported rice is increasing, with one tonne of 5-per-cent broken rice selling for US$260-$270 (Bt9,850-Bt10,230), and 25-per-cent broken rice, $250-$255.

Airlines : AirAsia asked to restart routes

Low-cost-carrier AirAsia has been asked to restart its Senai-Jakarta and Senai-Bangkok routes, which were suspended last year, Johor Tourism and Environment Committee chairman Fredie Long told the Bernama news agency yesterday.

He said both routes had been viable, as the average load factor for each had reached almost 60 per cent.

"We were never told why AirAsia stopped the flights but it could have been because they did not have enough aircraft then. However, as the company has bought a number of new planes now, they should restart the routes," he told reporters at Senai.

Long said that after the Kuala Lumpur International Airport, the Senai airport in Johor could be considered the next best airport in the country.

Wyncoast industrial : Shareholders agree capital increase

Wyncoast Industrial Park Plc's shareholders yesterday approved an increase in registered capital from Bt367.2 million to Bt510.38 million.

Chief executive Phatrlap Davivongsa Na Ayudhya said the new capital would be used to finance a rail logistics system at the Map Ta Put industrial estate at Laem Chabang in Chon Buri province by November.

After the increase, the Wongsawat family of the younger sister of caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra continues to hold a 56.37-per-cent stake in the company.