Thai government to receive 26m tons of grains under rice-pledging scheme

BANGKOK, October 2 (TNA) - The Thai Cabinet has resolved to accept about 26 million tons of paddy under its rice-pledging scheme in the 2012/2013 crop season, comprising 15 million tons of rice from the first crop and 11 million tons from the second crop. Government Spokesperson Sansanee Nakpong told reporters of the official decision, made at the Thai Cabinet's weekly meeting on Tuesday, saying that the government has planned to spend 240 billion baht on the first crop and 165 billion on the second crop. According to the spokeswoman, the Thai government will also borrow some 150 billion baht and use revenues from its rice sales to fund the rice-pledging scheme in the 2012/2013 crop season. (TNA)