IN SHORT: Thailand to release rice stocks soon

Thailand will disburse 120,000 tonnes of rice from its current 2 million-tonne stockpile to flood-hit regions and may start selling the rest gradually from the end of September, a senior Commerce Ministry official said on Thursday.
Flood caused by heavy rains during the monsoon in northern regions of the world's biggest rice exporter have killed up to 92 people in Thailand since July, putting pressure on the government to distribute food and other aid to affected regions. Manat said the government plans to release rice stocks in several ways, including selling via government-to-government deals, to exporters and to domestic rice retailers.