Products from every province attain coveted GI hallmark
The government has succeeded in registering geographical indication (GI) on products covering all 77 provinces in the country after Ang Thong’s indigenous Ekkarat drum recently received certification from the Commerce Ministry.
According to deputy commerce minister Sinit Lertkrai, the indigenous Ekkarat drum is one of two GI products recently certified by the Intellectual Property Department under the Commerce Ministry. The other item is Thong Pha Phum rambutan, or ngoh Thong Pha Phum, from Kanchanaburi.
GI is a distinctive certificate used to identify a product as originating from a particular country, region or locality that has specific qualities, reputation or other unique characteristics.
The certification typically increases market value for products sold in developed countries and protects the branding of these indigenous products by building consumer confidence in their quality.
GI product sales stood at around 6 billion baht in 2020, up from 5.2 billion in 2019, 4 billion in 2018 and 3.7 billion in 2017.
The government announced in early 2019 it aims to increase sales from GI products to more than 30 billion baht over the next five years while ramping up links between GI locations and tourism.
According to Mr Sinit, there are currently 139 GI-registered products — including Ang Thong’s indigenous Ekkarat drum — which covers all of the country’s 77 provinces.
The Ekkarat drum is a famous drum from Tambon Ekkarat, Pa Mok district,
‘‘ GI promotional activities to increase product sales this year include the GI Fest to be held at the Commerce Ministry’s headquarters and at MBK mall in July. VUTTIKRAI LEEWIRAPHAN Director-general, Intellectual Property Department
which has been used there for almost 100 years. It is made of local wood and the drum face is made of leather using the unique and traditional wisdom of local craftsmen.
It is the first GI-certified product from Ang Thong province.
Vuttikrai Leewiraphan, directorgeneral of the Intellectual Property Department, said his office promotes GI registration and more than 11 products have filed registration requests. These requests are expected to be determined before the fourth quarter this year.
The department is also committed to continuing to offer support to entrepreneurs in order to develop packaging for their GI products and expand markets both through online and offline platforms.
The department aims to assist farmers and producers to upgrade their product quality to meet international standards to expand markets and trade opportunities.
GI promotional activities to increase product sales this year include the GI Fest to be held at the Commerce Ministry’s headquarters and at MBK mall in July, said Mr Vuttikrai.