EU Granted the First-Ever Thai GI Product “Khao Hom Mali Thung Kula Rong-Hai”

On 12 February 2013, European Commission has officially granted the protection of the “Thai Khao Hom Mali Thung Kula Rong-Hai” as a registered European Union’s Protected Geographical Indication or PGI. Set for better protection within 27 European Union Member States, this is the first-ever South East Asian PGI being recognised and the second by the European Union. The implementing regulation was announced in the Official Journal of the European Union yesterday.

Looking at this success, Thailand’s application for GI protection on Khao Hom Mali Thung Kula Rong-Hai has been a long attempt of the Thai Department of Intellectual Property (DIP) to enhance its national product for better visibility in international market, since its application to the EU in 2008. The protection of Thai Khao Hom Mali will only impact the increase of the exportation and consumption of Thai rice. The end-benefactors to this news are Thai people and economy. The farmers and producers of Khao Hom Mali Thung Kula Rong-Hai from five provinces in the North-Eastern Part of Thailand that are Roi-Et, Mahasarakam, Surin, Sisaket and Yasothorn will greatly benefit from this expanded protection.

This will strengthen the economic ties between Thailand and Europe even further.