Thailand hopes to end rice price war

The Commerce Ministry has been ordered to send negotiators to Vietnam to initiate discussions on ending the rice price-war between the two countries, Deputy Prime Minister for economic affairs Trairong Suwankiri said on Friday. “The discussions will aim at organising bilateral talks between Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and the leader of Vietnam during the Asean summit in Hanoi from April 7 to 9,” Mr Trairong said. He admitted Thailand and Vietnam were competing for market share and offering rice for sale at lower prices. Bilateral talks on the problem would help end the price war, improve cooperation and boost rice prices, he added.