The Thai military is ready to buy rice from the pledging scheme that is ten years old, but only if it is checked to make sure it's safe for people to eat. Defence Minister Sutin Klungsang announced this today.
The rice would be used by military members, and Sutin also mentioned that the military is happy to help the government by purchasing the rice, as it would bring in money for the country.
Sutin was talking about the rice that Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai tested and said is still good to eat.
The rice has been stored for ten years in a warehouse and regularly treated to keep pests away. Before cooking, it was washed fifteen times.
Despite Phumtham's assurances, many people have doubts about the rice's quality after so long, as it has turned from white to yellow and is infested with weevils.
Sutin mentioned that Phumtham's taste test could be seen as a kind of guarantee to some extent, but added that conducting more tests on the quality would be a good idea for more assurance.
In the past, the military has bought crops when prices were low.
