Thailand Must Defend Claim to Jasmine Rice for International Recognition.

Byline: Woranuj Maneerungsee

Dec. 2--Protecting the origin of Thai Hom Mali rice under Thailand's Geographical Indications (GI) Bill may not be accepted by international organisations as it runs against GI principles, according to French embassy officials based in Bangkok.

They said that even if Thailand wanted to pursue that policy, it had to prove that Thai Hom Mali rice, also known as fragrant or jasmine rice, originates in Thailand.

Several Thai non-government organisations (NGOs) had urged the government to protect Thai Hom Mali rice under the GI bill, just as the Indian government had done with Basmati rice. The draft of Thailand's GIs bill was only endorsed by the senate last week.

GIs, in the eyes of the World Trade Organisation, must be identified as originating in the territory of a member nation and possess quality, reputation and other characteristics that are unique to its geographical location.

Protection in the country of origin is the first compulsory step towards international recognition.

Stephane Passeri, commercial counsellor in intellectual property at the French embassy, said the philosophy of GI that had originated in Europe was based on the need to protect the unique quality of the product in each territory and distinguish it from ordinary products.