Plans to grow more palm trees

BANGKOK: -- The Thai government plans to grow palm trees covering five million rai by 2008.

The palm oil will be used in the production of alternative energy, according to a senior government official.

The palm trees will be grown on four million rai in Thailand and a further million rai in the neighbouring countries of Lao and Cambodia, the Dirictor-General of the Department of Agricuture, Chakarn Saengruksawong, told TNA on Saturday.

The trees will be grown mainly in the country's eastern and southern regions.

Some trees will also be grown in the north-eastern region, but a further study is needed before the area is finally chosen, he said.

In 2006, the government expects a total of 18 million palm trees to be grown on 700,000 rai.

Private growers will be allowed to produce palm samplings under the supervision of the Agriculture and Cooperatives Ministry, he said.

--TNA 2005-06-04

Hmmm...The government seems to change its mind every week.I thought we were digging everything up to plant rubber.