55 Of 76 Thai Provinces Affected By Drought, Including Half Of Rice-Producing Areas - AFP

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More than 10 million people in parts of Thailand's rice bowl region have been hit by drought, the government said Monday, causing further concerns as prices of the staple grain soar.

Thailand's Disaster Prevention and Mitigation department reported that 55 of the kingdom's 76 provinces were struggling with drought, mostly in the central, north and northeastern regions. More than 151,000 rai (60,000 acres) of farmland has been affected, they said in a statement, including half of the key central rice growing provinces.

Vichien Phantodee, a member of the Thai Farmers Association, said rice farmers have been trying to exploit skyrocketing prices and an increased global demand for the grain.

"Farmers want to plant more rice because the price is so good," Vichien told AFP. "But the drought does affect rice production, particularly for farmland outside the irrigation areas."

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http://www.terradaily.com/reports/Drought_hits_millions_in_Thai_rice_region_government_999.html