August 05, 2008 - Thailand is applying with the European Union for geographical indication (GI) protection for Thai Hom Mali rice from Thung Kula Ronghai, the country’s largest planting area in the Northeast.
The application process at the Agriculture and Rural Development Office under the European Commission is about 50% completed and the approval process is expected to take about two years, according to Puangrat Asavapisit, the director-general of the Intellectual Property Department at the Commerce Ministry.
According to Mrs Puangrat, the GI system protects a product by certifying that it comes from a certain area and has characteristics that cannot be replicated elsewhere.
It is supposed to keep competitors from using the area’s name and misleading the public about the product’s origin. Champagne, named after a region in France where sparkling wine is made, is an example of a protected product.
The certification would also help strengthen community networks and preserve Thailand’s traditional wisdom. Moreover, the GI protection would ensure the products face no competition from cheap copies or imposters in world markets.
Thung Kula Ronghai covers two million rai in five provinces: Surin, Yasothon, Si Sa Ket, Buri Ram, and Roi Et. Apart from Thai Hom Mali from Thung Kula Ronghai, plans are also afoot to apply for GI protection for other Thai products including Doi Tung and Doi Chang coffee, which have won global recognition on their unique taste and aroma. So far, 49 applications have been submitted for GI registration in Thailand, 41 of which belong to Thai companies. Of all applications, 23 have been registered, 19 of which belong to Thai firms.
Among the foreign products that have GI registered in Thailand are the grape brandy Pisco of Peru and Brunello di Montalcino wine of Italy.
Adapted from bangkokpost.com