Deputy PM Phumtham Threatens Legal Action Over Rice Criticism

[webfact]

 

Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister, Phumtham Wechayachai, has issued a stern warning to critics of his recent promotion of 10-year-old government-stored rice, insisting it’s safe to eat and threatening legal action against detractors.

 

Phumtham, a close ally of the influential Pheu Thai politician Thaksin Shinawatra, defended the quality of the old rice, stored by the Public Warehouse Organisation, a state body under the Ministry of Commerce. He admitted the rice might lack the aroma of freshly harvested varieties, but maintained it was still safe for consumption. 

 

The minister, who recently sampled the decade-old rice during a warehouse visit in Surin, expressed confidence that the rice could fetch between 18-20 baht per kilo on the market. He warned that ongoing negative comments could damage Thailand’s global rice reputation and hinted at legal repercussions for persistent critics.

 

Phumtham argued that the preservation methods, including the use of aluminium phosphide, posed no risk to human health—countering previously aired concerns. To shore up his case, he plans to request inspections and quality certifications from Public Health Minister Somsak Thepsuthin.

 

 

 

These defensive statements come amid allegations of corruption linked to a previous Pheu Thai government’s rice subsidy scheme. This programme, spearheaded by former Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, Thaksin’s sister, led to widespread controversy and a significant financial loss for the state, estimated at 500 billion baht.

 

Yingluck fled Thailand in 2017, before a court could sentence her to five years in prison for neglecting her duties related to the subsidy scandal. According to Phumtham, she may return from self-imposed exile as early as next year, potentially reappearing in time for the Songkran festival in Chiang Mai.

 

As the debate continues, the rice saga remains a contentious issue in Thailand, with significant implications for the country's political and economic landscape.

 

TOP: Deputy PM and Commerce Minister Phumtham Wechayachai. Picture courtesy: Thai Rath 

 

-- 2024-05-15

 

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[Gknrd]

and "Joke of the day"

[OneMoreFarang]

Call it Shinawatra rice with a warning label and then sell it in all those red villages.

Do not export it because Thailand does not need the reputation that they sell decade old rice with no flavor.

 

 

[jacko45k]

1 hour ago, OneMoreFarang said:

Call it Shinawatra rice with a warning label and then sell it in all those red villages.

Do not export it because Thailand does not need the reputation that they sell decade old rice with no flavor.

 

 

I read elsewhere it has been delicately balanced with the taste of rat urine!

[bamnutsak]

Classic Thai authoritarian response, threaten critics.

 

 

Just let Yinglick return, and stop this rice scheme charade, it's still a pig, and no amount of lipstick will change that.

 

 

 

 

[Denim]

Why did they leave it so long when the cost of storage still being paid ?

[dinsdale]

Surely in a 'democracy' challenging the govt is an integral function. Not in TIT.

3 hours ago, webfact said:

He admitted the rice might lack the aroma of freshly harvested varieties, but maintained it was still safe for consumption. 

So it going to be crap and cheap but you can eat it. The govt must buy the lot and give it free to temples so it can go towards helping the poor. Even then I'm not sure people are going to want it. Tasteless 10 yr old rice.

Edited May 14 by dinsdale

[worgeordie]

It's near his mouth ,but he's not actually eating it .......and everybody keep your gobs shut

and say nothing about it.......or else

 

regards Worgeordie

[Gottfrid]

3 hours ago, webfact said:

Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister, Phumtham Wechayachai, has issued a stern warning to critics of his recent promotion of 10-year-old government-stored rice, insisting it’s safe to eat and threatening legal action against detractors.

Maybe he should just understand, that he is in a political position. Something that means they have to deal with criticism and prove as well as explain to people so they know the facts instead. A person in a political position should not need to scare people with legal action if they not stop talking. Shameful, once again.

[hotchilli]

3 hours ago, webfact said:

Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister, Phumtham Wechayachai, has issued a stern warning to critics of his recent promotion of 10-year-old government-stored rice, insisting it’s safe to eat and threatening legal action against detractors.

No free speech then.... disgusting .

[hotchilli]

3 minutes ago, Gottfrid said:

Something that means they have to deal with criticism

Not a Thai strong point.... 

[hotchilli]

3 hours ago, webfact said:

To shore up his case, he plans to request inspections and quality certifications from Public Health Minister Somsak Thepsuthin.

Meaningless bits of paper.

[Chassa]

Good! More rice for the stray dogs.

[mfd101]

In any rationally governed country the rice would have been disposed of years ago - either rubbish heap or feed for animals or sold off.

 

Pursuing grudges seems to be a national pastime, at least for the pollies. Pathetic.

[Thingamabob]

Another Thaksin-inspired special. Personally I prefer not to eat 10 years old rice.

[Pouatchee]

4 hours ago, webfact said:

hese defensive statements come amid allegations of corruption linked to a previous Pheu Thai government’s rice subsidy scheme.

 

Taxsin scheme to bring back yinglick in progress. Shut em up with the menace of being prosecuted. Ya just cant make this crap up...

[jippytum]

the rice scheme lost the country 500 billion. The ill fated digital wallet scheme will cost another 500 billion. 500 billion Seems to be Thaksins go to amount  for loss making ideas. 

[crazykopite]

2 hours ago, Denim said:

Why did they leave it so long when the cost of storage still being paid ?

And I bet the warehouses are full of  those things with big whiskers and long tails I often see them running about in the garbage strewn on the roads so dread to think what a warehouse would be full off 

[crazykopite]

24 minutes ago, jippytum said:

the rice scheme lost the country 500 billion. The ill fated digital wallet scheme will cost another 500 billion. 500 billion Seems to be Thaksins go to amount  for loss making ideas. 

The digital wallet scheme I fear has been buried under all that rice yet another broken promise to the people 

[Sydebolle]

Well, the toad needs to be briefed, that he was queried on his apparent statement, that the rice would be not for local consumption. This - arguably questionable quality of 10+ years old - rice would be for export only. Then there was a reference of 150,000 tons and Africa in the same sentence. Now what kind of marketing stint is this, honestly! 

The government paid for the rice; it remains unknown, how much of this money went to Thai rice farmers and how much evaporated on the way to the bank. Some of the poorer quality rice was wheeled in across the neighboring borders and fed some traders nicely. This rice being advertised for export only might backfire big time but yeah, Thailand makes so much more money in technology, banking and as an education hub - who needs the export rice these days .....

This seems to be shared by the CEO of the land; the PM is busy thinking about befitting names for Hua Hin airport at the moment 😎 

Just wait for the puppet master once he had enough of all this ........ 

[newbee2022]

5 hours ago, webfact said:

 

Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister, Phumtham Wechayachai, has issued a stern warning to critics of his recent promotion of 10-year-old government-stored rice, insisting it’s safe to eat and threatening legal action against detractors.

 

Phumtham, a close ally of the influential Pheu Thai politician Thaksin Shinawatra, defended the quality of the old rice, stored by the Public Warehouse Organisation, a state body under the Ministry of Commerce. He admitted the rice might lack the aroma of freshly harvested varieties, but maintained it was still safe for consumption. 

 

The minister, who recently sampled the decade-old rice during a warehouse visit in Surin, expressed confidence that the rice could fetch between 18-20 baht per kilo on the market. He warned that ongoing negative comments could damage Thailand’s global rice reputation and hinted at legal repercussions for persistent critics.

 

Phumtham argued that the preservation methods, including the use of aluminium phosphide, posed no risk to human health—countering previously aired concerns. To shore up his case, he plans to request inspections and quality certifications from Public Health Minister Somsak Thepsuthin.

 

 

 

 

These defensive statements come amid allegations of corruption linked to a previous Pheu Thai government’s rice subsidy scheme. This programme, spearheaded by former Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, Thaksin’s sister, led to widespread controversy and a significant financial loss for the state, estimated at 500 billion baht.

 

Yingluck fled Thailand in 2017, before a court could sentence her to five years in prison for neglecting her duties related to the subsidy scandal. According to Phumtham, she may return from self-imposed exile as early as next year, potentially reappearing in time for the Songkran festival in Chiang Mai.

 

As the debate continues, the rice saga remains a contentious issue in Thailand, with significant implications for the country's political and economic landscape.

 

TOP: Deputy PM and Commerce Minister Phumtham Wechayachai. Picture courtesy: Thai Rath 

 

-- 2024-05-15

 

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How long will it takes till all the rice will be eaten?

Will I buy that described rice when going to Makro? Is this in sealed 5kg or 10 kg packets?

How can I be sure to get fresh rice but not 10 years old produkt?

Any ideas?🙏

[brianthainess]

Freedom of speech alive and well then. Even my dog won't eat cooked rice 2 days old, he ain't daft. 

[chickenslegs]

7 minutes ago, newbee2022 said:

How can I be sure to get fresh rice but not 10 years old produkt?

Any ideas?🙏

Buy Indian Basmati rice.

[HappyExpat57]

Anyone here ever read "Catch-22?" There was a chapter where character Milo Minderbinder was stuck in a sales-loop and was losing money drastically. He tried to solve it by covering cotton balls in chocolate and selling them as candy. Trying to sell an inedible product.

 

Not exactly sure WHY that came to mind.

[newbee2022]

37 minutes ago, chickenslegs said:

Buy Indian Basmati rice.

Sure, that's a solution. Thanks.

So I have to abstain Thai rice?🙏

[nobodysfriend]

7 hours ago, webfact said:

He warned that ongoing negative comments could damage Thailand’s global rice reputation and hinted at legal repercussions for persistent critics

 

Yeah , no critics allowed , he is above that .

Just another lying , watch loving friend of Thaksin ...

Who believes a word ... they are all professional liars .

 

 

[nobodysfriend]

1 hour ago, newbee2022 said:

How can I be sure to get fresh rice but not 10 years old produkt?

 

They will mix it with fresh rice and sell it for the normal price ...

[newbee2022]

Just now, nobodysfriend said:

 

They will mix it with fresh rice and sell it for the normal price ...

That is my concern 

[Dogmatix]

Conscripts, prisoners and people in some dirt poor African countries will enjoy eating this delicious product like it was an aged Talisker malt whisky. 

 

For sure the successful sale of this rare product at a premium to fresh rice will be used to reduce Yingluck's fine for causing economic damage to the country when she comes home as a free woman in the near future.

[Peabody]

 

7 hours ago, webfact said:

Phumtham argued that the preservation methods, including the use of aluminium phosphide, posed no risk to human health...

Should be fine.

Thais are known to be extra careful when toxins are used.

"Aluminum phosphide is used as a fumigant to protect stored grain from insects and rodents. In the presence of moisture, aluminum phosphide releases phosphine, which is highly toxic. The fatality rate was 59% among 195 patients admitted to a hospital in Northwest India. The fatal dose was 1.5 g, and the predominant clinical feature was hypotension (Singh et al., 1996). Two children and 29 of 31 crew members aboard a grain freighter became acutely ill after inhaling phosphine originating from aluminum phosphide. One of the children died (Wilson et al., 1980)."