Thai Commerce Ministry to hold events to explain rice safety

[webfact]

Commerce Ministry to hold events to explain rice safety
By English News



BANGKOK, July 22 – Thai consumers’ deteriorating confidence regarding the safety of locally-produced and stored rice has led the Commerce Ministry to organise events to give assurances to the public.

Deputy Commerce Minister Yanyong Phuangrach said the activities to emphasise non-toxic Thai rice will be held in several rice-cultivating regions in the next two weeks to bring back confidence among consumers.

Widespread news on the discovery of chemical residues in packaged Thai rice, culminating with negative reports by the Consumers Foundation and the media, has shaken the credibility of Thai rice.

Mr Yanyong said related government agencies will join hands in the attempt to boost confidence among consumers regarding the safety of Thai rice.

The deputy commerce minister added that Thailand’s production of parboiled rice has increased by 20 per cent, and the global demand for parboiled rice will be higher in the future.

He said the price of parboiled rice is higher than white rice by US$50 per tonne, adding that 103 rice mills nationwide are capable of producing parboiled rice for export.

Thailand’s major markets for parboiled rice are African and Middle Eastern nations, he said.

Regarding the pledging price of paddy in the 2013/2014 harvest season, Mr Yanyong said the Commerce Ministry will hold another round of meetings with farmers on July 29.

“Both parties are discussing the acceptable price. Reduction of pledging price should be gradual, and not abrupt,” he said. (MCOT online news)


-- TNA 2013-07-22

[webfact]

Democrat wants govt clarification on chemical residues found in rice recently

BANGKOK, 22 July 2013 (NNT)-The Democrat Party is calling on the government to clarify the matter concerning chemical residues found in rice bags to increase public confidence.

Democrat Party Spokesman Chawanont Intarakomalasut cited the latest report by Biothai Foundation on toxic substances found in a pack of rice, as saying that the residues could not be washed away by rinsing the rice in the water.

He said the information contradicted the report provided by the government that the rice was chemical free. The brand of the suspected rice was withheld. Mr. Chawanont urged the government to reveal the truth and why there were still residues in rice.


-- NNT 2013-07-22

[Bluespunk]

He said the price of parboiled rice is higher than white rice by US$50 per tonne, adding that 103 rice mills nationwide are capable of producing parboiled rice for export.

It doesn't matter what the market price of rice is if your economic strategy is so ridiculous that it leads you to pay way above market prices.

[Thai at Heart]

Oooh, what a pickle. Next cp will be suing the democrats for besmirching Thai rice.

I suppose a win win for the vejajiva clan.

[Bluespunk]

Both parties are discussing the acceptable price. Reduction of pledging price should be gradual, and not abrupt, he said. "

The acceptable price is the market rate. I know the farmers want more and I don't blame them, farming is a tough life. However if you pay over the odds then exports collapse, as the last two years have shown, there's always someone else willing to take your place.

[jaltsc]

"He said the information contradicted the report provided by the government that the rice was chemical free. The brand of the suspected rice was withheld. Mr. Chawanont urged the government to reveal the truth and why there were still residues in rice."

"Deputy Commerce Minister Yanyong Phuangrach said the activities to emphasise non-toxic Thai rice will be held in several rice-cultivating regions in the next two weeks to bring back confidence among consumers."

When you find yourself in a hole...STOP DIGGING

[Thai at Heart]

Any chance of seeing some test results of what is actually in the rice?

This can't be so hard to achieve.

[KireB]

Here in Chiang Rai there are farmers who are not willing to eat their own crops! I wonder why!

[harrry]

Here in Chiang Rai there are farmers who are not willing to eat their own crops! I wonder why!

Largely because local folks prefer to eat sticky rice and much of the rice grown here is good quality Jasmine rice.

[KireB]

Here in Chiang Rai there are farmers who are not willing to eat their own crops! I wonder why!

Largely because local folks prefer to eat sticky rice and much of the rice grown here is good quality Jasmine rice.

Much isn't, that's why some farmers in our village claim not to eat it.

[Torrens54]

Forget eating Rice.

We've started eating BARLEY instead of rice with Thai food and recently made a brilliant Barley Risotto. Much healthier and better taste than boring rice.

Just Google: Barley Recipes and/or Barley Risotto.

[Baerboxer]

This all stems from a scheme that was set up to make a large number of people vote for a political party in the beleif they would increase their earnings. In reality, it failed to grasp basic market economics, was riddled with corruption, delivered very little value to the poor farmers, enriched the rich and well connected cronies of the current governmment and has destroyed the enviable position of the perceived superior quality of Thai rice and reduced Thailand from the postition of the world's leading rice exporter.

Now, saddled with huge stocks, a massive stock loss against booked inventory, accusations of contamination and dangerous chemical levels and widespread distrust, the government plan to forge aheaed regardless. Mind boggling.

[drdoom6996]

Any chance of seeing some test results of what is actually in the rice?

This can't be so hard to achieve.

Nope, just what he said, and she did and what they are going to do.

[OzMick]

Bugger the contamination, start explaining where the money went.

[Robby nz]

Deputy Commerce Minister Yanyong Phuangrach said the activities to emphasise non-toxic Thai rice will be held in several rice-cultivating regions in the next two weeks to bring back confidence among consumers.

Wonder if they plan to get Yingluck to eat some at each of the "activities" to prove how good it is.

[Neilly]

Commerce Ministry to hold events to explain rice safety

Didn't one of the other Ministries try this with Road Safety...hope they have better luck with the Rice version

[Pond Life]

The Lady doth protest to much !

[writeshack]

Forget eating Rice.

We've started eating BARLEY instead of rice with Thai food and recently made a brilliant Barley Risotto. Much healthier and better taste than boring rice.

Just Google: Barley Recipes and/or Barley Risotto.

So where do you buy barley? Not pearl barley. I've been looking for it for ages. If you know please PM me.

Edited to add request

Edited July 22, 2013 by writeshack

[dru2]

Oooh, what a pickle. Next cp will be suing the democrats for besmirching Thai rice.

I suppose a win win for the vejajiva clan.

My goodness, you are bitter. Is that the best you have to offer?

[Thai at Heart]

Oooh, what a pickle. Next cp will be suing the democrats for besmirching Thai rice.

I suppose a win win for the vejajiva clan.

My goodness, you are bitter. Is that the best you have to offer?

Hey they sued a radio host, why not the dems.

Why can't they sue? What is there to clarify, according to the government it's all safe.....

Edited July 22, 2013 by Thai at Heart

[GentlemanJim]

Forget eating Rice.

We've started eating BARLEY instead of rice with Thai food and recently made a brilliant Barley Risotto. Much healthier and better taste than boring rice.

Just Google: Barley Recipes and/or Barley Risotto.

So where do you buy barley? Not pearl barley. I've been looking for it for ages. If you know please PM me.

Edited to add request

Hi Torrens

Yes I actually thought you meant Pearl barley. So where do you get Barley from?

[stoli]

I was just in Vietnam. Wish I had purchased some rice while there and brought it home to Pattaya, residual free.

[indyuk]

Oooh, what a pickle. Next cp will be suing the democrats for besmirching Thai rice.

I suppose a win win for the vejajiva clan.

Former PM Abhisit is foolish in sharpening focus on a issue already delt with. He can only harm Thailand by publishing his unfounded reservations about Thai products. He Abhisit never seems to have the initiative on anything.

The chemical contamination was found in one bag of one miller's processed rice. It has nothing to do with Thailand's nationwide rice crop.

I recommend to all oposition MP's, ask you questions in the lobby or on the floor of the house before you anounce to the world that there maybe a problem with Thai produce.

[Robby nz]

Thai at Heart, on 22 Jul 2013 - 13:00, said:

Oooh, what a pickle. Next cp will be suing the democrats for besmirching Thai rice.

I suppose a win win for the vejajiva clan.

Former PM Abhisit is foolish in sharpening focus on a issue already delt with. He can only harm Thailand by publishing his unfounded reservations about Thai products. He Abhisit never seems to have the initiative on anything.

The chemical contamination was found in one bag of one miller's processed rice. It has nothing to do with Thailand's nationwide rice crop.

I recommend to all oposition MP's, ask you questions in the lobby or on the floor of the house before you anounce to the world that there maybe a problem with Thai produce.

The great red shirt and PT defender has finally arrived.

Not to attempt to defend the rice but to try to find a way to blame K Abhasit for all the problems with contamination.

Even though, it should be noted the topic is not about Abhisit nor was his name mentioned in the OP.

You may not have noticed that it was not Abhisit who "announced to the world" that there are problems with Thai rice.

He is only doing his job as leader of the opposition in attempting to get the Govt to prove to the world that Thai rice is not contaminated.

So far something they have refused to do with anything other than words and your lovely PM eating a spoonful of selected rice in front of the media.

It would seem by the topic of this discussion that words are all they will continue to use.

[Thai at Heart]

Oooh, what a pickle. Next cp will be suing the democrats for besmirching Thai rice.

I suppose a win win for the vejajiva clan.

Former PM Abhisit is foolish in sharpening focus on a issue already delt with. He can only harm Thailand by publishing his unfounded reservations about Thai products. He Abhisit never seems to have the initiative on anything.

The chemical contamination was found in one bag of one miller's processed rice. It has nothing to do with Thailand's nationwide rice crop.

I recommend to all oposition MP's, ask you questions in the lobby or on the floor of the house before you anounce to the world that there maybe a problem with Thai produce.

Oh I love the logic. There were plenty at 40 to 45 ppm. One more fumigation. Bingo

[OzMick]

Oooh, what a pickle. Next cp will be suing the democrats for besmirching Thai rice.

I suppose a win win for the vejajiva clan.

Former PM Abhisit is foolish in sharpening focus on a issue already delt with. He can only harm Thailand by publishing his unfounded reservations about Thai products. He Abhisit never seems to have the initiative on anything.

The chemical contamination was found in one bag of one miller's processed rice. It has nothing to do with Thailand's nationwide rice crop.

I recommend to all oposition MP's, ask you questions in the lobby or on the floor of the house before you anounce to the world that there maybe a problem with Thai produce.

The problem is that Thai parliament is not (yet) a star chamber, with all proceedings behind closed doors. Reporters do attend, proceedings are a matter of public record, and questions regarding the contamination of the country's basic food source are newsworthy enough to make the press salivate.

[Thai at Heart]

Oooh, what a pickle. Next cp will be suing the democrats for besmirching Thai rice.

I suppose a win win for the vejajiva clan.

Former PM Abhisit is foolish in sharpening focus on a issue already delt with. He can only harm Thailand by publishing his unfounded reservations about Thai products. He Abhisit never seems to have the initiative on anything.

The chemical contamination was found in one bag of one miller's processed rice. It has nothing to do with Thailand's nationwide rice crop.

I recommend to all oposition MP's, ask you questions in the lobby or on the floor of the house before you anounce to the world that there maybe a problem with Thai produce.

The problem is that Thai parliament is not (yet) a star chamber, with all proceedings behind closed doors. Reporters do attend, proceedings are a matter of public record, and questions regarding the contamination of the country's basic food source are newsworthy enough to make the press salivate.

If they start really digging and insisting on tests for ALL foodstuffs, God knows what they would find. Fruit, veg etc

94 ppm is waaaay above recommended levels.

[Thai at Heart]

Oooh, what a pickle. Next cp will be suing the democrats for besmirching Thai rice.

I suppose a win win for the vejajiva clan.

Former PM Abhisit is foolish in sharpening focus on a issue already delt with. He can only harm Thailand by publishing his unfounded reservations about Thai products. He Abhisit never seems to have the initiative on anything.

The chemical contamination was found in one bag of one miller's processed rice. It has nothing to do with Thailand's nationwide rice crop.

I recommend to all oposition MP's, ask you questions in the lobby or on the floor of the house before you anounce to the world that there maybe a problem with Thai produce.

The problem is that Thai parliament is not (yet) a star chamber, with all proceedings behind closed doors. Reporters do attend, proceedings are a matter of public record, and questions regarding the contamination of the country's basic food source are newsworthy enough to make the press salivate.

If they start really digging and insisting on tests for ALL foodstuffs, God knows what they would find. Fruit, veg etc

94 ppm is waaaay above recommended levels.

[Thai at Heart]

Classic screw up story in the other paper.

The exporters are asking the government to guarantee the quality of the rice in storage before they enter the auction.

[Robby nz]

The exporters are asking the government to guarantee the quality of the rice in storage before they enter the auction.

Which is not unreasonable as it is said that the exporters will not be given the chance to inspect the rice before bidding begins.

So why would that be?

Well it could be to ensure the price bid is low or to keep those out of the auction who are not supposed to win.

Then when the correct person or company to win the bid they can sell the rice again, possibly without even touching it, on the world market at a good profit.

That way they can truthfully quote the price they bought it for so no problem with dumping.