CP Group Denies Patenting All Thai Basil Varieties
Charoen Pokphand Group has denied claims that it patented all basil varieties in Thailand, clarifying that only its subsidiary CPRAM registered four new basil strains for protection. The group stated the registration was done independently by CPRAM, a unit of CP ALL, and not by the group or its senior chairman Dhanin Chearavanont. CP Group emphasized that farmers retain the right to grow and trade over 300 existing basil varieties without restriction.
Regarding the clarification of the dissemination of distorted information and allegations against Charoen Pokphand Group and its senior chairman, Dhanin Chearavanont, concerning the application for protection of new basil varieties:
Following the spread of information through media and social media, allegations have been made distorting facts and targeting Charoen Pokphand Group, including Mr. Dhanin Chearavanont, senior chairman, over the case where CPRAM Company Limited registered four new basil varieties for protection. This has caused a widespread misunderstanding that Charoen Pokphand Group (CP) has registered protection rights for all basil plants in the country, to the extent that farmers and villagers cannot grow, buy, or sell basil on their own without seeking permission from CP, which is not true. This has caused panic and affected the reputation of Charoen Pokphand Group and the individuals targeted.
Charoen Pokphand Group wishes to clarify the facts that the initiation, consideration, and decisions regarding the research, development, and application for protection of all four new basil varieties, including the submission of applications or ownership of rights to these plant varieties, were carried out under CPRAM Company Limited and were not conducted by Mr. Dhanin Chearavanont or Charoen Pokphand Group in any way.
CPRAM Company Limited is a company in the CP ALL Public Company Limited group, a company listed on the Stock Exchange of Thailand, with a management structure, governance, and decision-making processes under good corporate governance principles and in full compliance with the law. Charoen Pokphand Group, as a shareholder, does not have the authority to command or make decisions on behalf of the board of directors and management in the day-to-day business operations of CP ALL and its subsidiaries, nor is it the owner of rights to the aforementioned plant varieties.
However, Charoen Pokphand Group places importance on research, science, technology, and innovation, believing that the development of new plant varieties is part of upgrading the capabilities of Thailand's agriculture and food industry, and can create benefits for farmers, consumers, and society as a whole. The group believes that developing new plant varieties creates additional options for farmers in cultivation, yields better harvests, and generates profits for farmers, without binding them, but rather creating benefits for agricultural development, including for farmers and consumers. Such operations must not affect the legitimate rights of farmers to cultivate and benefit from native plant varieties, of which basil has more than 300 varieties.
Charoen Pokphand Group respects the right to express opinions and fair scrutiny from all sectors, but cannot accept the dissemination of false information, distortion of facts, or unfounded allegations against individuals and organizations that cause damage to reputation and public confidence. The group therefore reserves the right to take legal action against those who intentionally disseminate false information, distort facts, or make inappropriate allegations causing damage, in order to protect the legitimate rights and reputation of the organization and related individuals.
Charoen Pokphand Group October 24, 2026
