(VOVworld)-Thailand , the world’s largest rice exporter, may lose out to Vietnam if its government increases rice prices despite fierce competition in the global market, warns a leading Thai specialist.

Korbsook Lamsuri, president of the Thai Rice Exporters Association, has said that Vietnam , India and Myanmar are tough rivals and that Vietnam is likely to take over Thailand ’s current position in the next five years.

The US Department of Agriculture has forecast that Thailand and Vietnam will each export 6.5 million tonnes of rice this year.