THAI serves passengers with GAP standard-catering

BANGKOK, September 3 (TNA) - Thai Airways International (THAI) now serves international passengers with its upgraded catering service that is officially-guaranteed to meet the globally-recognized Good Agriculture Practices (GAP) standard, thanks to its agreed cooperation with the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives. THAI Acting President Usanee Sangsingkeo, Permanent Secretary for Agriculture and Cooperatives Lertviroj Kowattana and Chachoengsao Governor Suwit Khamdee have signed a cooperation agreement on joint developing of the management of farm produce at the high safety level for the national flag carrier's Catering Department. Usanee told journalists that THAI has pursued its corporate social and environmental responsibility programs, including those aimed to provide support for local farmers through the purchase of their farm produce and the promotion of their processed farm products. Usanee said the programs are also aimed to ensure that the THAI catering service always has safe and quality raw materials and ingredients to serve its international passengers. According to the acting THAI president, the eastern Chachoengsao Province has upgraded its farm crops to meet the provincial "No.8 farm produce" category, which is aligned with the internationally-recognized GAP standard, that ensures consumers for its quality and environmentally-friendly crops with fresh, clean, safe and residue-free properties and THAI has, thus, agreed to join forces with the province and the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives to serve international passengers with the province's GAP-standard farm crops and fruits. Besides, the agreed cooperation also meets the THAI corporate social responsibility (CSR) policy to boost and sustain local farmers' income in the long run. The permanent secretary for agriculture and cooperatives stated, meanwhile, that the agreed cooperation with THAI complies with his ministry's policy on the marketing-led farm produce production, based on the development of the domestic farm sector under the ongoing 20-year national development strategy, in which the production of local farm supplies is emphasized on those with high market demand to ensure their good sale and to enhance the competitiveness and prestige of local farmers internationally. (TNA)