NEWSPAPER SECTION: News, WRITER: Mongkol Bangprapa

Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul is preparing to meet Chinese Premier Li Qiang on Dec 14 to finalise a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for the sale of 500,000 tonnes of Thai rice to China, Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow said on Tuesday.

The meeting will take place in Bangkok during the Mekong–Lancang Cooperation (MLC) forum, where both sides are expected to hold formal discussions under the MLC framework before proceeding with the signing ceremony.

Mr Sihasak noted the rice agreement will be the central focus of the meeting, although broader cooperation and bilateral issues may also be discussed.

“According to the plan, the MoU signing is scheduled, and we are now working on the final details,” he said. Whether additional topics will be included in the talks will be confirmed closer to the meeting date.

In a parallel effort to expand Thailand’s rice exports, Anan Nonsri, director-general of the Rice Department, on Monday held discussions with Yurie Osawa, first secretary for Environment and Climate Change and deputy permanent representative to the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (Escap), along with representatives from Japan’s Ministry of Agriculture.

The talks centred on strengthening cooperation to promote Thai Low-Carbon Rice in the Japanese market, a niche with rising demand due to Japan’s increasing emphasis on sustainability and climate action.

Thailand currently has more than 60 million rai of rice-growing areas, he said, and the government is prioritising environmental stewardship in the agricultural sector.

The Rice Department has been actively advancing the Alternate Wetting and Drying (AWD) method, a cultivation technique proven to significantly reduce methane emissions from rice fields.

Additional measures include minimising chemical fertiliser use, eliminating stubble burning, and expanding the adoption of bio-based agricultural products — key elements in Thailand’s low-carbon rice production system.

According to Mr Anan, these discussions mark an important step towards deepening Thailand–Japan environmental cooperation and enhancing future marketing opportunities for premium Thai rice in Japan.

At present, AWD cultivation is practised on roughly 10 million rai.

The government aims to reduce national carbon emissions by 2 million tonnes by 2030 — half through initiatives supported by the Ministry of Agriculture, Germany’s GIZ, and partner organisations, and the remaining 50% through programmes led by the Rice Department.

Published Date: November 26, 2025