Deputy Commerce Minister Oranuj Osathananda said the government had targeted the purchase of 2.5 million tonnes of rice out of a total of 5 million tonnes in the market. The government plans to spend about Bt449 million for the pledging programme, which runs from March 16 to July 31.

The price for 100-per-cent paddy white rice will be set at Bt6,600 per tonne, 5 per cent at Bt6,500, 10 per cent at Bt6,400, 15 per cent at Bt6,200 and 25 per cent at Bt6,000.

Tourism :Turkey of a name 'should be changed'

Maintaining that the word "Turkey" has a negative connotation, a Turkish businessman has suggested the spelling of the country's name be revised.

"The name with which our country is known to the world, Turkey, needs to be changed," said Ankara Chamber of Trade president Sinan Aygn in a speech meant for Turkish Tourism Minister Atilla Ko. "This is the name of a bird

in English and used in a derogatory way to reflect the low intelligence of the bird."

He argued that "Torkiye" should be used instead of "Turkey" in all movies, posters and other documents.

Aygn was supposed to make this suggestion to the Turkish tourism minister during a speech at an Ankara Chamber of Trade assembly meeting earlier this week. However, the minister was a no-show, even though he earlier committed himself to attending.

"We've been holding these assemblies for the last 10 years, and this minister is the first one who said he would come but didn't show up," Aygn said.