BANGKOK, June 4 (TNA) - The Thai government plans to grow palm treescovering five million rai by 2008.

The palm oil will be used in the production of alternative energy,according to a senior government official.

The palm trees will be grown on four million rai in Thailand and a furthermillion rai in the neighbouring countries of Lao and Cambodia, theDirictor-General of the Department of Agricuture, Chakarn Saengruksawong,told TNA on Saturday.

The trees will be grown mainly in the country's eastern and southernregions.

Some trees will also be grown in the north-eastern region, but a furtherstudy is needed before the area is finally chosen, he said.

In 2006, the government expects a total of 18 million palm trees to begrown on 700,000 rai.

Private growers will be allowed to produce palm samplings under thesupervision of the Agriculture and Cooperatives Ministry, he said. (TNA)

625 rai = 1 hectare