Newspapers yesterday reported that that Thailand is considering establishing a cartel of rice producing countries.  The Organisation of Rice Exporting Countries would (OREC), according to reports in the Nation would "advise its member countries in production and marketing areas, he said. in partnership with Vietnam, Camdia, Myanmar and Laos".  While it would aim to help rice farmers, The New York Times here argued that if successful, "could have far-reaching consequences on the rice market, sustaining prices at their current historic highs and worsening a food crisis that is hurting Asia’s poorest consumers".  Prices of rice and other basic commodities have soared recently and the price of Thai B-grade rice has nearly tripled in recent months.