The Thai Prime Minister, General Prayut Chan-o-cha, has directed relevant agencies to protect the trademarks of Thai rice exporters following a scandal where a Chinese rice factory faked Thai Hom Mali rice. The prime minister has ordered the closure of the counterfeit rice factory and the promotion of genuine Thai jasmine rice. The Thai Hom Mali Rice trademark, which includes the Thai Hom Mali Rice certification mark and the trademark 'HOM MALI', has been registered in 48 countries since 1998 and 1991, and is renewed every 10 years. The Department of Foreign Trade is also working with foreign agencies of the Ministry of Commerce to promote Thai jasmine rice in foreign markets and develop a database of certified Thai Hom Mali Rice Brands to build consumer confidence.