Reviving Loei’s forgotten highland rice

14 Sept 02:30 Key points summarised by AI

Loei Province's long-lost Khao Neaw Daeng Mueang Loei (Red Glutinous Rice) was rediscovered in 2013 by the Baan Si Charoen community enterprise, successfully cultivated, and recognized for its outstanding properties.
This indigenous rice is classified as a superfood, rich in Vitamin-E and other nutrients, offering health benefits and driving the development of new products like congee for health-conscious consumers.
Baan Si Charoen is promoted as a bio-tourism community, conserving indigenous rice varieties and traditional Tui cotton production, leveraging its natural resources for economic benefit.
Another rare upland rice, Khao Neaw Siew Gleang, is being actively conserved by the Baan Nam Yen Community Enterprise, which has established a significant cultivation area in Dan Sai District.
Both Khao Neaw Daeng Mueang Loei and Khao Neaw Siew Gleang have been registered as Geographical Indication (GI) products, adding value and providing economic opportunities for local farmers.

Government to start building Chainat-Pasak-Gulf water diversion canal next year

Today 14:58 Key points summarised by AI

Thailand's government will launch the "Chainat-Pasak-Gulf" water diversion canal project in fiscal year 2027, a seven-year mega-infrastructure initiative.
This permanent structural solution aims to mitigate recurrent central plains flooding by diverting water from the Chao Phraya River directly into the Gulf of Thailand, significantly reducing flow to major cities like Ayutthaya and Bangkok.
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul justifies the long-term investment as a means to reduce future damages and fiscal burdens, contrasting it with the 40-50 billion baht spent annually on short-term flood relief.
Concurrently, the Prime Minister instructed officials to expand drainage capacity into the Tha Chin River and swiftly remove water hyacinths to improve immediate flood management.