BANGKOK, July 17 (TNA)  The private-run KASIKORN Research Center (KRC) said that production of some agricultural products, especially rice and sugarcane, have declined, as planters have switched to grow other crops which offer a higher returns.
It said domestic and overseas demands for rubber, tapioca and corn are still high.
The center said in its report published on Saturday that there were signs of a decline in the production of livestock following the outbreak of avian influenza early this year, which had prolonged until the middle of the year.
In the field of fishery, production during the first half of 2004 also dropped, especially black tiger prawns, due to fall in prices.
Production and prices of black tiger prawns during the second half of 2004 will depend on the US anti-dumping duty, which is anticipated to be imposed on Thailand later this year.
During the first five months of 2004, the country's exported farm products valued at US$6.5 billion, up 11.9% from the corresponding period of 2003.
The KRC forecasts that export value of farm products in 2004 would total US$15.8 billion, an increase of 10% from last year.
Fierce competition in the fishery products in the global market remains, the center said, adding that if the US anti-dumping duty, to be imposed on Thailand and scheduled to be announced late this month is lower than duties imposed on Vietnam and China earlier this month, it would benefit Thai shrimps exported to the US market. (TNA)--E111
Thailand's draft constitution has come under fire from Buddhist monks and supporters for not having a clause declaring a national religion for the country.  The coup-appointed Prime Minister, Surayud Chulanont, noted that the issue could cause problems with the upcoming referendum to ratify the proposed constitution.

According to the Bangkok Post 20,000 protesters gathered outside the parliament building in Bangkok, and a procession of nine elephants joined the protest with Senator Sawet Thinnakul riding one of them.

It would appear that the government has carefully worded the draft constitution to avoid favouring one religion over another.  Tensions and violence in the predominantly Malay Muslim south of the country have led to over 2,000 deaths; having a clause that recognised Buddhism as the country's official religion may further inflame tensions in the region.