In Thailand, the market was relatively quiet as most buyers were absent. A tender held Thursday by the Thai commerce ministry to sell 400,000 MT of rice paddy could pressure prices next week, particularly if buyers remain elusive.

The rice offered at the tender were stocks accumulated under the government's previous price intervention programs. The commerce ministry offered to sell jasmine fragrant grade paddy and white rice paddy accumulated from the government's 2004-05 and 2005-06 crop years.

Also, the Thai baht has stabilized, which could allow exporters to offer a discount. Thai 100% grade B was offered Thursday at $328-$329 PMT, FOB, Bangkok, 5% broken was offered at $317-$319 PMT, while parboiled 100% sortexed was offered at $322-$324 PMT. These prices were little changed from prices offered Wednesday.