Division 5.1 Specificity of the geographical area

The Thung Kula Rong-Hai Plain is a large plain in north-east Thailand, extending across five provinces, namely Roi Et, Mahasarakam, Surin, Yasothon and Srisaket. It covers a total of 2 107 690 rai and was formerly named Thung Mah Long or Thung Pu Pa Lan.

Natural and human factors play an integral role in production and, in particular, cultivation of Khao Hom Mali Thung Kula Rong-Hai rice. Human knowledge also plays a key role in production of this rice, from selecting quality seeds to following suitable cultivation methods, constructing bunds and segmenting the paddy field into sections to retain sufficient water for the rice to grow. Water is drained from the fields about 10 days before harvest, when the mature rice is cut and dried for 2 or 3 days to reduce moisture. These are the natural factors and local knowledge which determine the quality of Khao Hom Mali Thung Kula Rong-Hai.