CP Group Denies Monopoly Claims on Thai Basil, Clarifies New Variety Protection Process

Key summary

The CP Group issued a statement today (October 24) refuting allegations that it has registered nationwide protection for Thai basil leaves, which would prevent farmers and the public from planting or trading the crop without permission. The group confirmed that the initiative to seek plant variety protection for four new Thai basil strains was conducted by CPRAM, a subsidiary of CP ALL, not by Chairman Dhanin Jaiwanon or the CP Group directly. CPRAM operates under corporate governance structures where the parent group holds shares but does not issue direct orders for daily business operations. The group stated that developing new plant varieties aims to provide additional options for farmers to increase yields and income without affecting their rights to cultivate or use over 300 existing traditional Thai basil strains available in Thailand. CP Group reserved the right to pursue legal action against individuals who intentionally spread false information causing damage to the organization's reputation.