Thailand Showcases Premium Rice at Philippine Food Expo, Eyes Trade Expansion

MANILA, Philippines — Thailand officially launched its participation in the World Food Expo (WOFEX) 2026, one of the Philippines’ leading international food and beverage trade exhibitions, held recently at the SMX Convention Center and World Trade Center Metro Manila. Under the campaign “Think Rice, Think Thailand: We Serve the Best Quality Rice to the World,” Thailand showcased a wide range of premium rice products, highlighting the quality, diversity and global reputation of Thai rice. Thailand’s participation is jointly supported by the Department of International Trade Promotion (DITP) and the Department of Foreign Trade (DFT), Ministry of Commerce of Thailand, through the Thai Trade Center in Manila. The initiative aims to strengthen trade cooperation between Thailand and the Philippines while promoting greater awareness of the quality and competitiveness of Thai rice in the international market. The official opening of the Thailand Pavilion was marked by a rice pouring ceremony. VIPs in attendance (from left to right) included Sutinee Vathana, director of the Thai Trade Center in Manila; Makawadee Sumitmor, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Thailand to the Republic of the Philippines; and Ian Roberts, senior vice president in Asia, Informa Markets. The ceremony reflected the strong trade relationship between Thailand and the Philippines and reaffirmed Thailand’s commitment to supplying high-quality rice products to global markets. Vathana highlighted Thailand’s commitment to promoting premium Thai rice and strengthening partnerships with Philippine importers, distributors, retailers and food service operators. She noted that the “Think Rice, Think Thailand” campaign not only showcases the excellence of Thai rice but also creates new opportunities for bilateral trade and business cooperation. Visitors to the Thailand Pavilion explored a variety of premium Thai rice, including Thai Hom Mali Rice, Riceberry Rice, Sangyod Rice, Chumphae Rice, Thai Fragrant Rice and Thai White Rice. The pavilion also features live cooking demonstrations by chefs from Thai SELECT restaurants in the Philippines, showcasing authentic Thai dishes prepared with different Thai rice varieties. In addition, the event provides a valuable platform for Thai rice and Thai rice product exporters and Philippine businesses to connect and explore new trade opportunities. Editor’s Note: This press release from Thai Trade Center in Manila is published by the Advertising Content Team that is independent from our Editorial Newsroom.