Thailand Promotes 'Premium Rice' to Boost Local Economies

The Thai Department of Internal Trade, under the Ministry of Commerce, has announced the continuation of its 2026 high-quality rice market development project. As part of this initiative, the agency is hosting the second 'Khao Praneat' (Premium Rice) festival at the Jing Jai Market in Chiang Mai. The campaign specifically highlights 'Doi Saket purple rice' as a flagship product to penetrate the premium market segment. According to Prachachat Business, the project aims to bridge the gap between local farmers and business operators to increase community income. The event also features a special 'Khao Praneat Visit Farm' activity, allowing participants to engage directly with agricultural sites. For residents and visitors, this initiative offers an opportunity to explore unique, high-quality local agricultural products and support sustainable community development. While the festival serves as a platform for market expansion, it remains to be seen how these promotional efforts will impact long-term pricing and the scalability of premium rice distribution across other regions of Thailand. Further details regarding the expansion of this program to other provinces have not yet been confirmed.