Thailand to start releasing govt rice stocks soon

BANGKOK: The Thai government will disperse 120,000 tonnes of rice from its current 2 million tonnes of stocks to flood-hit regions and may start selling the remainder gradually from the end of September, a senior Commerce Ministry official said on Thursday.

"The 120,000 tonnes will be handed out immediately to flood-affected people free of charge. However, the rest was expected to be gradually sold through different channels," said Manat Soiploy, director-general of foreign trade overseeing the country's rice trade.

"The plan on rice stocks sale was expected to start by late September."

Copyright Reuters, 2011