Hom Mali from Surin, where the borders of Roi Et and Sisket meet has won the World's Best Rice competition (TRT World Rice Conference) 7 times and the International Taste Institute's (Belgium) Superior Taste Awards for 8 consecutive years. Hom Mali translates to "fragrant jasmine". Having driven extensively through the region, across multiple planting seasons, the ripening rice in the fields smell more pandan like than jasmine to me. Here is why the rice wins. Dedicated professional hand grown rice in a gifted soil and environment combine to manifest a beauty of nature. Surin is situated in the Thung Kula Ronghai region, where the unique combination of sandy, slightly saline soil, distinct weather, and sun exposure causes the rice plants to produce higher levels of 2-acetyl-1-pyrroline - the natural compound that gives jasmine rice its signature pandan-like aroma and soft texture.