Bangkok:The government has reassured the public that the cultivation and sale of Thai basil remain unaffected despite the registration of four new basil varieties.
According to Thai News Agency, Lieutenant Colonel Patthadarasmi Thongsalooykorn, Deputy Spokesperson for the Prime Minister's Office, addressed public concerns about the registration of new basil varieties named "Kaewchuri 01 - 04" by a private company. The registration, she explained, does not grant exclusive rights over all basil varieties in Thailand, as protection is limited to these newly registered variants. Consequently, individuals can continue to grow and sell native and common basil varieties without restriction.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, represented by Deputy Permanent Secretary Mr. Kris Uttamawethin, confirmed on October 22, 2026, that residents can cultivate basil for personal consumption, commercial cooking, and sale without purchasing seeds from private entities. This assurance emphasizes the distinction between selling basil for food purposes and the legal conditions surrounding the propagation of protected plant varieties.
The Plant Variety Protection Act B.E. 2542 (1999) outlines exceptions for using plant varieties in research, non-commercial activities, and reusing propagation materials produced by farmers under lawful conditions. These legal provisions clarify that saving seeds for future planting is not necessarily prohibited, contingent on the protection status of the variety and the specific usage circumstances.
Concerns from the BioThai Foundation and civil society about farmers' rights and access to plant varieties prompted the government to initiate feedback solicitation. The Department of Agriculture is actively seeking public input to potentially revise the Plant Variety Protection Act, considering impacts on farmers, production costs, and compliance with the UPOV 1991 Convention. The consultation process is open to farmers, breeders, academics, and citizens to ensure a balanced approach that protects both research advancements and farmers' rights.
The government, through the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, is committed to fostering plant variety research alongside protecting farmers' livelihoods by ensuring access to necessary plant varieties. Public participation is encouraged in the legislative amendment process to promote national benefit and fairness.
For further inquiries about protected plant varieties or cultivation guidelines, individuals are encouraged to contact the Plant Variety Protection Division, Department of Agriculture, at 02-940-7214.