Betong: Department of Intellectual Property accepts child. Preparing to register 2 more GIs. The Prime Minister leads a team to visit Yala Province. Moving forward to create added value for products 'Nile Tilapia Lai Betong' and 'Pluangpu Halabala' are freshwater fish that have a local identity. Prepare to register a new GI in Yala Province. Along with bringing in Chef Chumpol Jangprai, Michelin Chef, Chairman of the Soft Power Subcommittee on Food, to join in creating a delicious menu from Betong Nam Lai tilapia. Expected to bring sustainable growth to local communities Mr. Wutthikrai Leeveeraphan, Director-General of the Department of Intellectual Property, spoke after Mr. Settha Thavisin, Prime Minister and Minister of Finance. Policy has been given to the Department of Intellectual Property to accelerate the promotion of local identity products as rights of the community. Through promoting the registration of Geographical Indications or GIs in order to raise quality products from the community to be know n. Help attract tourists, create jobs, generate income, and bring about the well-being of the Yala brothers and sisters. In this visit to the area Representatives of the Betong Lai Namlai Nile Tilapia and Halabala Antimony Fish Farmers Group submitted an application for GI registration with the Prime Minister. The Department of Intellectual Property will take the matter into the request review process. It is believed that upgrading community products with the GI system will be a prototype model for driving the economy within the province. It is also an important step in developing the freshwater fishing industry of Yala Province to continue growing strongly. The Department has organized special activities. By inviting Chef Chumpol Jangprai, a Michelin level chef. Chairman of the Food Industry Steering Subcommittee Under the National Softpower Development Committee Come join in creating the menu. 'Chri Khing Sai Nam Lai Betong Tilapia' and 'Steamed Sai Nam Lai Betong Tilapia with Lime and Kumquat Thai Herbs' to promote Sai Nam Lai Betong tilapia products to be widely known. and deliver it as a recommended menu for the restaurant It also inspires restaurant operators in the area to use Namlai Betong tilapia as an ingredient in making various menus. For "Nile Tilapia Betong River", they are farmed in the Sankalakiri mountain range of Betong District, Yala Province, and raised in ponds with a stream that flows all the time. Makes the amount of oxygen in the water higher than normal fish ponds. As a result, Betong Lai Lai Nile Tilapia has the distinctive characteristics of a small head, firm fish flesh, smooth white color, sweet taste, no muddy smell. The upper and lower lips are the same. The selling price is 300 baht per kilogram. 'Pluangchompoo Halabala' is a rare local fish. There are breeders from the Halabala forest upstream. and raised with a system of water flowing from natural sources The distinctive feature is that the body is pink. The dorsal and caudal fins are red. The fish's flesh is soft and white lik e cotton. The taste is sweet and delicious. The scales contain collagen, so it is popular to eat the whole scales. The price is as high as 3,000 - 3,500 baht per kilogram. Because it takes at least 2-3 years to raise them before they can be sold, both types of fish create a total market value of more than 44 million baht per year for the province Source: Thai News Agency