Thailand, RI agree on barter deal

Thailand, RI agree on barter deal

BANGKOK: Thailand has agreed in principle to exchange Thai rice for Indonesian civilian aircraft to use in a royal artificial rainmaking project, an official said Saturday.

Officials from the two countries met in Bangkok on Friday and agreed on a broad framework for the barter deal, but couldn't agree on details such as the type of aircraft, said Anant Bhusitthikul, the Thai deputy permanent secretary for agriculture and cooperatives.

He told The Associated Press that Indonesia wants to give Thailand two medium-sized aircraft and two small aircraft, but Thailand wants four small aircraft.

"The artificial rain agency has made it clear that medium- sized aircraft are useless in their work," he said.

If the deal succeeds, the royal cloud seeding project would save US$51 million earmarked for purchasing four aircraft, Anant said.

He said the amount of rice to be given to Indonesia can only be calculated after it becomes clear which aircraft Thailand will receive. -- AP