The government expects Thailand to export nine million tonnes of rice this year due mainly to lower rice yield in Vietnam, a major competitor in the rice market. Thai Rice Exporters Association president Chukiat Opaswong said on Tuesday Vietnam planned to export 3.2 million tonnes of rice in the second half of 2010, lower than the first half of the year at four million tonnes. The neighbouring country's rice export target for this year was 6.5 million tonnes. Mr Chukiat called on the Thai government to release more rice from its six-million-tonne stock.

 Department of Foreign Trade director-general Manat Soiploy said Vietnam's rice output for export had stalled.

"This is an opportunity for Thailand to export more rice and the Foreign Trade Department has determined different ways to increase rice exports," Mr Manat said.

Thailand's rice exports should reach nine million tonnes this year, he said.