Drying the tears | Bangkok Post: business

Local lore has it that Kula migrants from Burma, who were famed for their endurance and toughness, shed tears in despair while travelling across the vast, parched plateau that straddles several provinces in northeastern Thailand due to the aridity of the land. Even today it is still known as Thung Kula Rong Hai (Kula crying field), though the climate and the mood have changed.

The cluster offers five products of Hom Mali rice, supplied mainly to Siam Makro, Big C and Amway (Thailand) Co.

The area, which covers about 2 million rai in Surin, Maha Sarakham, Buri Ram, Si Sa Ket, Roi Et and Yasothon, is home to the famous Thung Kula Hom Mali rice fields, where the government has been trying to secure geographical indication (GI) registration for indigenous produce.