The controversial 'rice pledging' program is gaining attention on social media in Thailand once again. This is due to Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai's widely criticized act of consuming rice that is 10 years old, dating back to the Yingluck government era. He claimed that it is still suitable for consumption.
Former election commissioner Somchai Srisutthiyakorn expressed his disapproval on Facebook today, stating that selling rice that is a decade old could discourage people from eating 'Kao Kaeng' or rice with curry, which is a main dish for many Thais.
He was also referring to the dish that Phumtham was trying during his inspection trip yesterday.
According to Somchai, storing 150,000 sacks of rice in a warehouse for 10 years would require fumigation every two months, resulting in the rice undergoing about 50 to 60 fumigation cycles.
He also expressed concerns about the nutritional value of the rice and chemical contamination, particularly the risk of aflatoxin, a toxin produced by certain fungi.
During the trip, Phumtham mentioned that the rice he sampled had been washed 15 times before cooking, but he confirmed that it was fit to eat.
However, Somchai stated that the Ministry of Commerce could face a problem with consumer confidence if this batch of decade-old rice were to be sold.
To address public concerns, Somchai suggested the following:
