Thai TV host sued for contaminated rice claim

[webfact]

Thai TV host sued for contaminated rice claim
By Digital Media



BANGKOK, July 12 - Thailand's leading rice packer yesterday lodged a complaint against a Bangkok television host for allegedly spreading false claims via social media that its rice was contaminated.

Sumeth Laomoraporn, chief executive officer of CP Group's International Trading Business Group for manufacturing and distributing its brand 'Royal Umbrella Rice,' said Suttipong Thammawut, TV host and managing director of TV Burabha Co., Ltd, posted a message on his Facebook page that Royal Umbrella brand rice contains contaminants and is under standard.

Mr Sumeth said Mr Suttipong's act discredited his company; so he filed a complaint yesterday at Huay Kwang Police Station against Mr Suttipong for defamation and infringement of the Computer Act.

According to Mr Sumeth, the company had no choice, for it could not get through to Mr Suttipong either by telephone or on his social networks. The CP executive said the message was already shared to some academics and members of the press and media, whom Mr Sumeth told that Mr Sutthipong's claims were untrue and caused both Thai and foreign consumers to lose confidence in the quality of Royal Umbrella brand rice.

Whether or not the rice company will withdraw the complaint, Mr Sumeth said depended upon the company's legal team which is to consider the issue.

He affirmed that Royal Umbrella rice is pure and has no contaminants .

Meanwhile, the TV host admitted his mistake in posting the message on his Facebook page. He said he had no ill intention and that his action had nothing to do with politics.

He said the message was previously shared by someone else, and he only added it to share on his wall, he said.

His intention was only his concerns for the safety of rice consumers and to create fairness to the private sector alleged so that it could clarify the matter to the public.

The TV host said he felt uncomfortable for having been misunderstood that he wanted the issue to be politically-motivated or to discredit the rice firm. Therefore, he wanted to take responsibility for what happened and said he was ready to do more than apologise.

Mr Suttipong said he would ask all related entrepreneurs and agencies to understand his clarification and his intention and was already aware of the lawsuit filed against him. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2013-07-12

[webfact]

RICE
Post on rice contamination 'not meant to harm'
The Nation


Television host Suttipong Thamawuit holds a press conference yesterday at his company, TV Burabha, to say that his post on Facebook was not meant to attack any political party or rice producers. The post led to him facing libel charges.

BANGKOK: -- Television host Suttipong Thamawuit told the press yesterday that he did not mean to cause any harm when he posted the message that certain brands of packaged rice were contaminated.

He called the press conference after a rice producer filed a police complaint accusing him of defamation.

Suttipong said he had learned about this via the popular smart-phone application Line, and wanted to copy and post it on Facebook for "concerned people" only. However, his finger slipped and he ended up posting the comment before he could clarify his intention.

"I was concerned and wanted my friends to learn about this, as this information has been shared for a while now. I want them to learn about it but not believe it right away. I also wanted the rice producers to realise that they are in the news," he said.

Suttipong said he deleted the message as soon as he realised that it had been posted without his explanation, adding that he did not intend to discredit any political party or rice producers. He went on to say that he was willing to take up the rice-production companies' invitation to check their inventories.

Sumeth Laomoraporn, chief executive of CP Intertrade Co, an arm of the Charoen Pokphand Group, said as Suttipong had a large following on the Net, his message has had a huge impact and damaged his firm's reputation. He said officials from his company, after failing to contact Suttipong on phone or through Facebook, had posted a message on his personal blog but it was deleted.

He said other bloggers also posted messages accusing CP Intertrade of harassment. "I want to clarify that we have no intention to harass him, but only explain the production process. However, since we did not get a response, we had our legal team file a complaint at the Huai Khwang Police Station, accusing him of libel and violation of the Computer Crime Act.

Sumeth said his company had bought two lots of rice under the rice-pledging scheme, which had been exported. He added that so far there have been complaints about the quality.

"The fact that the government bought huge amounts from farmers, it's inevitable that the quality would be affected by factors such as rain and rats," he said, adding that his company was seeking the endorsement of the Food and Drug Administration to ensure consumers of the quality.

Meanwhile, some social-media users are accusing Suttipong of causing this ruckus because he wants to promote his own brand of "Khao Khunnatham" organic rice. However, Suttipong defended himself, saying his firm only produced 40 to 50 tonnes of rice, which was too little compared to other brands.

Separately, Deputy Commerce Minister Yanyong Phuangrach said the ministry was looking into the law to see if it can take action against people who post false messages on social media and affect people's confidence in Thai rice.

-- The Nation 2013-07-12

[webfact]

Commerce Min: Anyone discrediting Thai rice will be dealt with

BANGKOK, 12 July 2013 (NNT) - The Commerce Ministry is looking for ways to take action against individuals who make false claims about the quality of rice from the government’s pledging scheme on social media, citing that rumors may affect Thai rice export.

Deputy Commerce Minister Yanyong Phuangrach has instructed the Department of Internal Trade to find out if any legal punishments could be enforced on those trying to sabotage the reputation of Thai rice by spreading rumors on social media. He confirmed that all processes from production, packaging and storage to distribution of Thai rice have been conducted in accordance with the standard.

In a bid to guarantee the quality of rice, Mr. Yanyong and Commerce Minister Niwatthamrong Boonsongpaisarn will on Saturday lead the press to observe the rice packaging process at a factory that supplies the product to domestic and overseas markets.

Mr. Yanyong also reported that the sales of rice in several department stores have declined after the rumors of contaminated rice circulated the social media. He urged related authorities to immediately create a correct understanding of the quality of Thai rice among consumers and importers abroad.


-- NNT 2013-07-12

[chooka]

Is it a false message? Contaminants have been found and countries like the U.S and Australia are concerned about the quality of Thai rice and want to personally inspect it.

If it is in the public interest then it can hardly be defamation but hey this is Thailand where it is not wise to speak up about wrongs.

[bigbamboo]

Commerce Min: Anyone discrediting Thai rice will be dealt with

BANGKOK, 12 July 2013 (NNT) - The Commerce Ministry is looking for ways to take action against individuals who make false claims about the quality of rice from the government’s pledging scheme on social media, citing that rumors may affect Thai rice export.

Deputy Commerce Minister Yanyong Phuangrach has instructed the Department of Internal Trade to find out if any legal punishments could be enforced on those trying to sabotage the reputation of Thai rice by spreading rumors on social media. He confirmed that all processes from production, packaging and storage to distribution of Thai rice have been conducted in accordance with the standard.

In a bid to guarantee the quality of rice, Mr. Yanyong and Commerce Minister Niwatthamrong Boonsongpaisarn will on Saturday lead the press to observe the rice packaging process at a factory that supplies the product to domestic and overseas markets.

Mr. Yanyong also reported that the sales of rice in several department stores have declined after the rumors of contaminated rice circulated the social media. He urged related authorities to immediately create a correct understanding of the quality of Thai rice among consumers and importers abroad.

-- NNT 2013-07-12

On that note I would just like to say that no matter what anyone else says or how it looks and tastes Thai rice is the best in the world

[notmyself]

*Deleted post edited out*

It's doesn't have to untrue nor does it have to be a negative claim.

Edited July 12, 2013 by Scott

[Thai at Heart]

Why don't they just show the testing results they have?

[Curt1591]

Why don't they just show the testing results they have?

The problem is that so many are so easily whipped into a frenzy, this accusation will definitely have an effect. Few will check back for the facts.

[clockman]

The truth always hurts!!!

[thaicbr]

Why don't they just show the testing results they have?

 

The problem is that so many are so easily whipped into a frenzy, this accusation will definitely have an effect. Few will check back for the facts.

But it could also be true.... it's funny that the entire amount bought from the pledging scheme has been exported. When was it exported? Who to?

Maybe the exported rice was contaminated?

There have been numerous claims against this company and what it has done to make the rice saleable.

I don't know if they are true. But luckily I don't like the cheap tacky packaging so will not buy it:D

Sent from my i-mobile i-STYLE Q6

[Ricardo]

Commerce Min: Anyone discrediting Thai rice will be dealt with

BANGKOK, 12 July 2013 (NNT) - The Commerce Ministry is looking for ways to take action against individuals who make false claims about the quality of rice from the government’s pledging scheme on social media, citing that rumors may affect Thai rice export.

Deputy Commerce Minister Yanyong Phuangrach has instructed the Department of Internal Trade to find out if any legal punishments could be enforced on those trying to sabotage the reputation of Thai rice by spreading rumors on social media. He confirmed that all processes from production, packaging and storage to distribution of Thai rice have been conducted in accordance with the standard.

In a bid to guarantee the quality of rice, Mr. Yanyong and Commerce Minister Niwatthamrong Boonsongpaisarn will on Saturday lead the press to observe the rice packaging process at a factory that supplies the product to domestic and overseas markets.

Mr. Yanyong also reported that the sales of rice in several department stores have declined after the rumors of contaminated rice circulated the social media. He urged related authorities to immediately create a correct understanding of the quality of Thai rice among consumers and importers abroad.

-- NNT 2013-07-12

On that note I would just like to say that no matter what anyone else says or how it looks and tastes Thai rice is the best in the world

And so is Cambodian rice, provided that it's smuggled across the border & repackaged, not that this ever happens, of course !

[thaicbr]

Why don't they just show the testing results they have?

 

The problem is that so many are so easily whipped into a frenzy, this accusation will definitely have an effect. Few will check back for the facts.

But it could also be true.... it's funny that the entire amount bought from the pledging scheme has been exported. When was it exported? Who to?

Maybe the exported rice was contaminated?

There have been numerous claims against this company and what it has done to make the rice saleable.

I don't know if they are true. But luckily I don't like the cheap tacky packaging so will not buy it:D

Sent from my i-mobile i-STYLE Q6

[thaicbr]

Why don't they just show the testing results they have?

 

The problem is that so many are so easily whipped into a frenzy, this accusation will definitely have an effect. Few will check back for the facts.

But it could also be true.... it's funny that the entire amount bought from the pledging scheme has been exported. When was it exported? Who to?

Maybe the exported rice was contaminated?

There have been numerous claims against this company and what it has done to make the rice saleable.

I don't know if they are true. But luckily I don't like the cheap tacky packaging so will not buy it:D

Sent from my i-mobile i-STYLE Q6

[GentlemanJim]

Well I know someone that was paid to wash all that rice in formaline to make it white again! I mentioned it on here 3-4 weeks ago. Whether it has then been cleaned enough to get rid of all that stuff I have no idea, but I am not going to be eating it.

[theblether]

As usual shoot the messenger. This is the most disturbing headline.....

Commerce Min: Anyone discrediting Thai rice will be dealt with

Does that translate into " Anyone telling the truth will be dealt with"?

Looks like it.

[greg71]

This sai rai pai see or defamation law is almost in all cases a laugh.Look at how much compensation they are always after .Another example is buakaw the fighter asking for 100 million baht for an insult laid on him.Thailand again battles with freedom of thought and expression .

[Thai at Heart]

Where do they get the idea that this is going to help the reputation of rice. Proof that it's not contaminated would be a much better plan.

[chooka]

Why don't they just show the testing results they have?

The problem is that so many are so easily whipped into a frenzy, this accusation will definitely have an effect. Few will check back for the facts.

Why don't they just allow totally independent inspectors free access to randomly check the rice stockpiles for contamination? Wouldn't that put an end to the speculation that it is/isn't contaminated? The Thai and international community should be satisfied and then they may be able to off load some rice before it rots further.

[Tatsujin]

So sharing something that someone else posts on your own FB page now can lead you to being sued. I thought that this only applied if YOU wrote something, not merely shared someone else's words.

Aside from that, I do believe that "some" (perhaps lots) of Thai rice has been chemically cleaned, is mouldy, substandard and is contaminated although I have no evidence to back this up. Feel free to try to sue me if you wish.

[chooka]

If I may just take this opportunity to express my thanks to "CP and 'Royal Umbrella Rice' for making this known to the international community. Had they not taken this action I would never have known which companies rice to totally avoid.

[Scott]

An off-topic post has been deleted.

[GeorgeO]

Where do they get the idea that this is going to help the reputation of rice. Proof that it's not contaminated would be a much better plan.

Interesting also that they are currently unsure as to whether they will pursue the law suit, and that this will depend on their legal team.

There is, of course, no defamation in truth, so is there some concern that they might lose the law suit?!

[Xonax]

As far as I know, all rice is contaminated with small rice-beetles. They can remove the beetles before packing, but there will still be eggs from the beetles in the rice. If no contaminating treatment, some of these eggs will soon be new little rice-beetles. This is the exact reason why organic rice has an expiry date only 2 months after packing, while normal rice will not expire at least within the first 12 months, which in my terminology must mean, that they would have to use some kind of chemical to destroy the beetle-eggs.

Edited July 12, 2013 by Xonax

[EvilDrSomkid]

P'Check should have known better to post this on his wall.

They have worked very hard for many years to make TV Burapha what it is today.

This could ruin them. My wife is a friend of his wife. We had dinner with them last year.

Very nice people with good ideas. My wife is really worried about them.

TV Burapha has a program that involves buying rice direct from the farmers, cutting out the middle men.

Regarding the defamation, it does not matter if what he said is true or not. If he damages their reputation, he is liable.

Edited July 12, 2013 by EvilDrSomkid

[eddie61]

Regarding the defamation, it does not matter if what he said is true or not. If he damages their reputation, he is liable.

P'Check should have known better to post this on his wall.

They have worked very hard for many years to make TV Burapha what it is today.

This could ruin them. My wife is a friend of his wife. We had dinner with them last year.

Very nice people with good ideas. My wife is really worried about them.

TV Burapha has a program that involves buying rice direct from the farmers, cutting out the middle men.

Regarding the defamation, it does not matter if what he said is true or not. If he damages their reputation, he is liable.

Certainly in the UK the fact that it is true is a defence

[geriatrickid]

Just so that you are aware, the Thai government would have an easier time shutting down a Thai specific website, than it would with FB. Here's the issue simplified for you: You make a statement that you know is unsubstantiated. Stating that you have no evidence to back up the claim doesn't get you off the hook. It is akin to yelling fire in a crowded theater, and then saying, Joke, just kidding. Under Thai law you must take responsibility for your statement. The website is also held liable for allowing the comment to be posted. I won't get into fairness, as it is what it is.

Here's a reality check. All commercially grown grains have chemical residues. It can come from the soil, from the pesticides and herbicides used or it can be picked up during processing and shipping. Even organically grown produce will have contaminants. The loads may be less, but heavy metals and other substances can and will be identified. Simply by walking on some roads in Thailand we can pick up trace amounts of chemicals and heavy metals.

Edited July 12, 2013 by Scott
Deleted posts edited out

[kurnell]

There will be no contaminated rice found overseas. All the crap rice is here for us to eat. Dead men tell no tales

[Thai at Heart]

Where do they get the idea that this is going to help the reputation of rice. Proof that it's not contaminated would be a much better plan.

Interesting also that they are currently unsure as to whether they will pursue the law suit, and that this will depend on their legal team.

There is, of course, no defamation in truth, so is there some concern that they might lose the law suit?!

There is however damage to business.

[Thai at Heart]

So sharing something that someone else posts on your own FB page now can lead you to being sued. I thought that this only applied if YOU wrote something, not merely shared someone else's words.

Aside from that, I do believe that "some" (perhaps lots) of Thai rice has been chemically cleaned, is mouldy, substandard and is contaminated although I have no evidence to back this up. Feel free to try to sue me if you wish.

Look at TV forum rules and you have your answer

Are you suggesting I've broken some TV Forum rules by voicing my opinion in this instance? If so, then the Mods will delete my post.

If you're suggesting that I might now be sued for voicing my opinions in a public forum, then both Facebook and TV should also be sued for allowing those postings to be made public as they are in effect the ones allowing the postings of those opinions and actually putting them into the public domain.

Just so that you are aware, the Thai government would have an easier time shutting down a Thai specific website, than it would with FB. Here's the issue simplified for you: You make a statement that you know is unsubstantiated. Stating that you have no evidence to back up the claim doesn't get you off the hook. It is akin to yelling fire in a crowded theater, and then saying, Joke, just kidding. Under Thai law you must take responsibility for your statement. The website is also held liable for allowing the comment to be posted. I won't get into fairness, as it is what it is.

Here's a reality check. All commercially grown grains have chemical residues. It can come from the soil, from the pesticides and herbicides used or it can be picked up during processing and shipping. Even organically grown produce will have contaminants. The loads may be less, but heavy metals and other substances can and will be identified. Simply by walking on some roads in Thailand we can pick up trace amounts of chemicals and heavy metals.

ever wondered how many heavy metals are in compost?

[Scott]

An off-topic exchange has been removed. The issues of defamation and libel are interesting, but let's stick to this situation and exercise care in what we post.