Thailand, the world's biggest rice exporter, was forecast to produce a record output of 11.1 million tonnes paddy in the second crop, according to the Agriculture Ministry. - File photo

BANGKOK: Thailand plans to extended its rice intervention scheme to the end of July to support prices during the harvesting of the second crop, a senior official said on Monday.

“The Commerce Ministry has submitted the plan to the National Rice Committee, which is due to meet this week. The plan is expected to be approved promptly as farmers are about to harvest the new crop,” said a Commerce Ministry official who declined to be name.

He gave no details about the intervention price, but Commerce Minister Boonsong Teriyapirom said the price should not less than the previous offer of 15,000 baht ($490) a tonne.

Thailand, the world's biggest rice exporter, was forecast to produce a record output of 11.1 million tonnes paddy in the second crop, according to the Agriculture Ministry.

($1 = 30.8550 Thai baht)