The Thai Ministry of Commerce has announced a plan to export approximately 700,000 tonnes of rice from its latest pledging session, and sell off 500,000 tonnes left in its stockpile next week.

Commerce Minister Boonsong Teriyapirom said the plan seeks to do away with stocking costs, which amount to approximately 1,000 THB per tonne for a total of 570 million THB.

Department of Foreign Trade Director-General Pranee Siripan said a public auction has been scheduled for next week for registered rice exporters in the country. Competing exporters will be required to bid for the entirety of the 500 tonnes of rice./.VNA