(Repeats Feb. 15 report with no changes to text)
* India rates hold steady at record high of $542-$550 per ton
* Thai prices slip to $610 per ton vs $630 last week
* Trading activities more robust in Vietnam after holiday
Feb 15 (Reuters) - Rates of parboiled rice exported from India held record high levels hit this week even as demand was subdued from African buyers, while Vietnam saw increased trading activity after the holiday period.
India's 5% broken parboiled variety
"African buyers are having a tough time swallowing these higher prices. They're hitting the pause button for now," said a Mumbai-based exporter.
Pakistan's rice exports are likely to jump to a record high in the year ending in June as rival India's decision to curb its own shipments forces buyers to purchase more from Islamabad, which is offering the grain at nearly 16-year-high prices.
In Vietnam, 5% broken rice
Trading activities became more robust after a week-long Lunar New Year or Tet break.
"Supplies are stronger after Tet, both buying and selling activities picked up," said a trader based in the rice bowl of Mekong Delta.
Thailand's 5% broken rice prices
There is a downwards pressure on prices, said a Bangkok-based trader, adding Thailand did not participate in the Indonesian auction and that new supply would gradually come out next month.
Demand was very thin and internal prices have also fallen, another trader said.
Traders expect Thai prices to continue following a downward trend. (Reporting by Anjana Anil in Bengaluru, Rajendra Jadhav in Mumbai, Phuong Nguyen in Hanoi, Chayut Setboonsarng in Bangkok; Editing by Krishna Chandra Eluri)