Police open rice shop to help poor officers

PHUKET: Police in Phuket have gone into the rice business as a way for impoverished officers and their families to supplement their income. Pol Col Chalit Thintanee, superintendent of the Phuket Town Police Station, and his deputy, Pol Lt Col Samarn Chainarong, came up with the idea after seeing how Bangkok Police had successfully allowed officers in the capital to take part-time, after-hours jobs. The shop – Phuket Ka Kao – opened on Saturday. Lt Col Samarn suggested the rice shop because, he explained, “All Thai families eat rice.” The shop, which is open every day from 9 am to 9 pm, is opposite the Big One supermarket on Chao Fa Nai Road, which Lt Col Samarn described as “a very good location because a lot of people drive past there.” It sells exclusively soft, high-quality, fragrant jasmine rice which comes from a mill in Sri Saket province. Lt Col Samarn, who is also manager of the new shop, said they are selling both retail and wholesale. The shop already has about 20 regular customers, including two or three restaurants. The introduction of discount cards is being considered.