Bangkok, Jan. 8 -- The Thai Cabinet has approved an extension of Government support measures for the rice industry, citing continued volatility in the global market.

Government spokesman Siripong Angkasakulkiat said after a Cabinet meeting on January 6 that the Ministry of Commerce had proposed three measures for consideration. The first was the extension of the interest compensation scheme for rice traders storing paddy from the 2023-24 production year.

Originally due to end on October 31, 2025, the programme will now run until April 30, 2026. It aims to help traders maintain liquidity when purchasing rice from farmers, with the Government compensating interest costs of 3-4% per year on bank loans used to buy and stockpile rice during ...