Min Niwatthamrong denies rumor on Thai rice with chemical residue

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Min Niwatthamrong denies rumor on rice with chemical residue

BANGKOK, 11 July 2013 (NNT) -- Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister Niwatthamrong Bunsongpaisan, has denied rumors on social media regarding toxic chemical residues found in rice under the rice pledging scheme. He asked anyone with proof to show it so that culprits can be prosecuted.

The statement is in response to online messages sent by a television host, Mr. Sutthipong Thammawut, who mentioned the existence of strong chemicals in the pledged rice and urged people to avoid its consumption. Mr. Niwatthamrong encouraged anyone with concrete proof of the claim to present evidence to the authorities for prosecution of the wrongdoers, should the rumors proved to be true.

He however expressed his belief that the rumors hold no truths, and is merely a ploy to discredit the government. He criticized that the move was nothing but a damage to the country and its rice trading reputations.

Meanwhile, Mr. Chatchai Promlert, Director General of the Department of the Disaster Prevention and Mitigation, stated the department only found 30 rotten rice bags out of the 2,500 in the department's survival kits. He is confident that the cause of the rotten rice lays within the transportation methods, not because of chemical residues.

Nonetheless, Mr. Chatchai said all of the damaged rice bags have been replaced, adding that he has instructed officials to be on the lookout for any decayed products in the department's survival kits.


-- NNT 2013-07-11

[Neilly]

He however expressed his belief that the rumours hold no truths, and is merely a ploy to discredit the government.

[laurentbkk]

This Rice issue has became the major issue in the Thai government .... so much money involved .... big enough to open some greedy appetite

[bigbamboo]

One good thing to come of this. Isn't Japanese rice delicious!

[Tatsujin]

denies, denies, denies = lies, lies, lies = business as usual in the LoS

[impulse]

He asked anyone with proof to show it so that culprits can be prosecuted.

Is it the culprits who tainted the rice that he wants to prosecute, or the culprits that come forward with the proof?

I only ask because it's not always clear here.

Edited July 11, 2013 by impulse

[nachiket]

He criticized that the move was nothing but a damage to the country and its rice trading reputations.

He is confident that the cause of the rotten rice lays within the transportation methods, not because of chemical residues.

Not sure who want to defame Thailand. As, Thailand was always top rice exporter. Now it's third followed by India and Vietnam.

On the other hand he is just confident that the cause of the rotten rice lays within the transportation methods and not due to (so called) an existence of strong chemicals in the pledged rice.

Better get it tested in labs and quote a statement. Else, tomorrow he will loose his face if lab reporting goes against his statement.

Edited July 11, 2013 by nachiket

[Thai at Heart]

Why the hell doesn't he provide the CPA analysis results for all the stuff in the warehouse to prove this statement wrong?

[tominbkk]

Well, I certainly think there should be proof behind what people accuse. and of course, this is a public health hazard if true, so instead of blaming people and putting heads in sand, they need to work together, make a logical decision, and dispose of contaminated rice if it is there.

[slapout]

What items make up a survial kit and how many are there? This survival kit is aimed at what purpose in the grand program? Do these new terms just pop out of some ones mouth or do people put these kits together, sell them, pass them out free, or is it a secert breeding program being conducted by the Commerce Ministry?

[kimamey]

Meanwhile, Mr. Chatchai Promlert, Director General of the Department of the Disaster Prevention and Mitigation, stated the department only found 30 rotten rice bags out of the 2,500 in the department's survival kits. He is confident that the cause of the rotten rice lays within the transportation methods, not because of chemical residues.

Just so I understand this, is this disaster prevention or mitigation at the moment?

[chainarong]

Lets have sample's taken and checked/done in front of the Thai press, all results published , then everyone will be certain that there is no chemical residue in the rice , now, how easy is that, save a whole heap of speculation and clears up the rice rumour and ready for sale when they get a buyer

[Thai at Heart]

Lets have sample's taken and checked/done in front of the Thai press, all results published , then everyone will be certain that there is no chemical residue in the rice , now, how easy is that, save a whole heap of speculation and clears up the rice rumour and ready for sale when they get a buyer

I find it extremely unlikely that the international food chain buyers don't have a requirement for testing anyway. The big Thai exporters must do in house testing . There must be literally thousands of tests results for the last 10 years sitting around on file, plus those for this year. Why all the problem to publish them?

[LomSak27]

I find it extremely unlikely that the international food chain buyers don't have a requirement for testing anyway. The big Thai exporters must do in house testing . There must be literally thousands of tests results for the last 10 years sitting around on file, plus those for this year. Why all the problem to publish them?

The news from last week - That The Nation does see fit to mention, the US was checking for pesticides (fungicides) in imported rice from Thailand. They had to have been given the heads up from " International food chains who likely had done their own tests and found ... something ... so they made a phone call or two and ... now the story has come full circle.

[ramrod711]

He asked anyone with proof to show it so that culprits can be prosecuted.

Who will do the prosecuting? The police still haven't provided the evidence in the Red Bull heir case, the Prime Minister can't recognize her brothers voice andwe still don't know if the import tax was ever paid on Chalerms Rolls. These guys aren't even denying half this stuff any more, like school children at recess, "prove it, no you prove it", nauseating.

[lee b]

What about all the chemicals in the sauces that are thrown on later???

[monty1412]

Not surprised that the rice is tainted at all.. its been through that many peoples hand and pockets before it ever looks like it will hit the open market...

[Thai at Heart]

I find it extremely unlikely that the international food chain buyers don't have a requirement for testing anyway. The big Thai exporters must do in house testing . There must be literally thousands of tests results for the last 10 years sitting around on file, plus those for this year. Why all the problem to publish them?

The news from last week - That The Nation does see fit to mention, the US was checking for pesticides (fungicides) in imported rice from Thailand. They had to have been given the heads up from " International food chains who likely had done their own tests and found ... something ... so they made a phone call or two and ... now the story has come full circle.

These tests should have been done before shipment, at an independent lab outside Thailand, normally taken during processing time. Very very common practice. Means someone knowingly jigged the samples.

[Robby nz]

stated the department only found 30 rotten rice bags out of the 2,500

So the department ONLY found 30 bags of rotten rice out of 2,500.

If we take that as an example of the amount of rotten rice in the GOVT stock of 18 million tons then that would mean that there would be 1 bag in every 83 that is rotten

If that can be extrapolated into tons it would mean that 1 ton in every 83 would be rotten.

That would mean there is 216 million tons of rotten rice now in storage.

Very simplistic sure but taken together with the statement from the Ivory Coast Govt that said that 20% of the rice delivered to them through a G 2 G deal was rotten it does not make a pretty picture.

Consider also that rot spreads.

[Skywalker69]

The PTP problems is piling up rapidly, soon to come back and hit them in da face.

[worgeordie]

I wonder what kind of rice the politicians are eating,if we knew that I am

sure that rice would be free of any contaminants.

For the general population any old rice will do.

regards Worgeordie

[fakename]

If anyone has proof, show it, so we can destroy it!

[Neilly]

The wife got a message off of Line today naming the brand in question...normally found in 7-11 stores apparently...and no, I won't name it, don't want to find a buffalo head in my bed thanks

[whybother]

That would mean there is 216 million tons of rotten rice now in storage.

10 times more than is stored?

A couple too many zeros. 2 million tons ... I think.

[ggold]

Why the hell doesn't he provide the CPA analysis results for all the stuff in the warehouse to prove this statement wrong?

Exactly right, it's not for others to prove this. It's upto the government to test and prove that the chemicals are not present in the pledged rice!

Why does the government think otherwise, because its they who lie.

[MegaRanter]

I personally don't like this news coming on daily basis concerning Thai rice

[thhMan]

Thailand is a wonderful country whose population is stupid. Don't ever expect a rational or intelligent solution be forthcoming... It will always be ad-hoc and/or someone other persons fault.

[kirk0233]

Thailand is a wonderful country whose population is stupid. Don't ever expect a rational or intelligent solution be forthcoming... It will always be ad-hoc and/or someone other persons fault.

Not sure about stupid. I would characterize the problem as a corrupt government that does not wnat to get caught. Face is really all about not getting caught making a mistake or misdeed.

Edited July 12, 2013 by kirk0233

[Halion]

Discredit the Government. Farcical when they are doig such a good job themselves.

Thai agricultural produce including rice is highly suspect to comtamination from the careless over use of pesticides and incecticides. Further more there are several compounds which are banned in developed country's which are still in common use today Toxic Thailand in total denial.

[Thai at Heart]

I might just grab a sample and send it to Central labs to check. The fda should be testing this stuff randomly right now to reassure the public.

Since when would anyone just blindly believe this cover up from any government or company.