Thailand's Disaster Prevention and Mitigation department has reported that 55 of the kingdom's 76 provinces were struggling with drought, causing further concerns as prices of the staple grain soar.

Rice farmers in Thailand have been trying to exploit skyrocketing prices and an increased global demand for the grain but the drought is hampering rice production, particularly for farmland outside the irrigation areas.

International demand for Thai rice has soared after other top exporters, Vietnam and India, imposed limits on exports to ensure domestic supply.