Malaysia, Thai leaders in food security talks

By Jalil Hamid

KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters) - Thailand has no plans to restrict rice exports and the country will meet all export commitments, Wichianchot Sukchotrat, a Thai government spokesman said in the Malaysian capital on Thursday.

Malaysia and Thailand held talks on food security on Thursday and Malaysia is seeking assurances that its orders for 480,000 tonnes of rice from its neighbor, the world's top rice exporter, will be delivered as planned.

Rice prices in Thailand surged to $1,000 a tonne on Thursday, presenting a bleak outlook for Asian nations battling inflation and food security concerns as regional governments worry about the prospect of rising prices spurring hoarding and social unrest.

Rice prices are nearly three times higher than at the start of the year following this week's jump of more than five percent.

"We don't need to restrict Thai exports because in the next few months, a new crop will come out and we have enough stock for the Thai people and also for exports, according to the agreements that we have signed," Wichianchot told reporters.

Asked if Thailand would meet all export commitments, Wichianchot said, "We will meet them."

He was speaking at a Thai restaurant in the Malaysian capital, where visiting Thai Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej cooked up a mixed seafood dish for 40 dinner guests.

Earlier on Thursday, Malaysia's foreign minister had said Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi would use a meeting with his Thai counterpart to urge that Thailand fill its neighbor's orders for 480,000 tonnes of rice this year.