Old rice sale critics warned of legal action
Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister Phumtham Wechayachai is threatening legal action against those he says are spreading “false information” about the decade-old rice stocks the government is planning to auction off.
“Critics who have no knowledge about this and who upload false information onto a computer system are in violation of the law [the Computer Crime Act]. If they don’t stop, I will assign agencies to take action,” Mr Phumtham vowed.
“Don’t devalue Thai rice as this will ruin the country’s reputation in the long term,” he said.
Responding to criticism made against the government’s handling of the rice issue by Warong Dechgitvigrom, chief adviser of the Thai Pakdee Party, Mr Phumtham said that criticism should be based on facts and information.
Mr Warong — the whistle-blower who exposed the rice-pledging scandal under the former Yingluck Shinawatra government — earlier claimed the old rice stocks had no seal of approval.
“Checks were conducted on the rice in a transparent manner. The rice is fit for auction. The old rice does not necessarily have the same pleasant smell as new crops. The rice will be exported to Africa,” Mr Phumtham said.
“I want to challenge Dr Warong to prove [the quality of the rice is substandard]. If it turns out to be fine, however, Dr Warong must take responsibility,” he added.
Mr Phumtham earlier posted on Facebook that the government wants to auction off the rice left over from the controversial ricepledging scheme so the government can earn some revenue.
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin said the government will send samples for lab tests to ensure its safety.
Weerachai Phutdhawong, a well-known organic chemistry expert who was asked by a media outlet to test samples taken from warehouses in Surin, claims to have found aflatoxins on the rice. Aflatoxins have been associated with an increased risk of liver cancer.
The Thailand Consumers Council (TCC) said yesterday it needs to get samples of the 10-yearold rice for a quality check to see if it is free from harmful residue.
TCC secretary-general Saree Aungsomwang said initial tests showed aflatoxin contamination.