Suriyas has ordered the Department of Agriculture to expedite verification of whether the protection registration for four holy basil varieties complies with the law, aiming to complete this within one week. He stressed the importance of safeguarding local farmers' interests.
At 07:31 on 24 Oct 2026 at Sanam Luang, Suriyas Junrungreangkit, Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives, addressed public concerns after CP RAM Company Limited filed to register protection for four new plant varieties, which might affect holy basil sales and consumption. He acknowledged the public's worries as this concerns farmers and their way of life, since people grow holy basil for their own use. He assured that farmers' rights will be protected according to the law. His first action is to have the Department of Agriculture investigate whether the private company's protection registration complies with legal requirements and to report the findings back to him. Meanwhile, the Department holds holy basil varieties it has previously researched.
When asked how long the review would take, Suriyas said he aims to complete it within one week to establish the facts.
When pressed whether the matter would be clarified by Tuesday due to public interest, Suriyas reiterated that this is exactly what he is concerned about—the farmers' rights and the registration process—to ensure it does not harm farmers or locals.
When asked if CP RAM had developed four new holy basil varieties, Suriyas said that is the information they have provided.
Asked if the existing holy basil varieties resemble the newly developed ones, Suriyas said he needs to investigate this matter first but affirmed that farmers' rights will not be compromised.