rice
- Business News
Thai rice exporter says policy changes are grain-ing momentum
A seasoned Thai rice exporter expressed support for upcoming changes in rice trade policy, anticipated to be enacted later this month, though he highlighted that small businesses still encounter significant obstacles in entering international markets. After the first meeting of the Operational Committee under the 1946 Rice Trading Act (Session 1/2025), Commerce Minister Pichai Naripthaphan announced that the committee had…
- Thailand News
Sia Piang released early from prison due to health issues
Apichart Jansakulporn, widely recognised as Sia Piang, has been released from prison, confirmed by the Department of Corrections (DoC). Initially sentenced to 48 years for his involvement in the rice-pledging scandal, Apichart was granted early release due to severe health issues, having served only seven years of his sentence. The DoC Director General, Sahakarn Phetnarin, stated yesterday, December 5, that…
- Business News
Thailand implements 8.36 billion baht plan to stabilise rice prices
The National Rice Policy and Management Committee has introduced three strategic measures to stabilise rice prices amidst concerns of potential oversupply during the harvest season. By maintaining a balance between demand and supply, these initiatives aim to prevent a price drop in this year’s rice crop. Commerce Minister Pichai Naripthaphan announced that the first measure entails an 8.36 billion baht…
- Thailand News
Severe flooding in Mae Hong Son threatens rice fields
Heavy rainfall in Mae Hong Son has caused the Mae Sa Nga River to overflow, flooding over 1,000 rai of rice fields. The famous Sutongpe Bridge, a well-known tourist spot, is also at risk of submersion, with landslides blocking several roads. Mae Hong Son is currently facing a crisis due to continuous heavy rainfall which has led to severe flooding…
- Thailand News
Severe drought in Nakhon Ratchasima threatens rice farmers
Nakhon Ratchasima faces a severe drought crisis, with newly sown rice fields wilting due to prolonged dry spells. The irrigation department is urgently pumping water to prevent damage to over 1,000 rai of rice seedlings. The significant drought is particularly felt in the Phimai district. The water allocation officials from the Thung Samrit Irrigation Project, Phimai district, have accelerated efforts…
- Thailand News
Seven bidders cleared for auction of 15,000 tonnes of rice
Seven potential bidders have been cleared to participate in the auction of 15,000 tonnes of rice remaining from the Yingluck Shinawatra administration’s rice-pledging scheme. Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister Phumtham Wechayachai yesterday confirmed that the auction for this last stockpile will proceed as planned on June 17. Eight companies showed interest and submitted documentation to verify their qualifications earlier…
- Thailand News
Ratchaburi farmers back new fertiliser project to cut costs
Farmers in Ratchaburi are optimistic about the Half-and-Half Fertiliser project, designed to alleviate financial strain and reduce production costs for rice farmers. The project, approved by the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, aims to support farmers planting rice in the 2024 to 2025 production year by providing 50 kilogrammes of fertiliser per rai, with a cap of 20 rai per…
- Food
Explore the different types of rice in Thailand
Thailand is establishing itself as a prominent leader in the rice industry, providing a diverse range of high-quality varieties upon which many countries depend. Understanding rice in Thai culture and cuisine is crucial before exploring the specifics. In Thailand, rice transcends the boundaries of mere sustenance to represent a cultural ethos. The expression “kin khao,” which signifies to eat, literally…
- Thailand News
Thailand govt to auction decade-old stash after safety check
Thailand’s government will move forward with plans to auction off rice from Yingluck Shinawatra’s pledging scheme, stored in two Surin warehouses for a decade, following a laboratory test confirming its safety for consumption. Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister Phumtham Wechayachai, currently in Italy, announced that a private laboratory’s tests on samples from the Surin warehouses revealed no aflatoxins or…
- Thailand News
Ten-year-old rice auction resumes after safety tests
Phumtham Wechayachai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Commerce, announced the continuation of the 10-year-old rice auction after private lab tests showed no contamination. The Public Warehouse Organisation (PWO) has been instructed to expedite the process meticulously. Phumtham yesterday shared that private tests conducted by a leading company found no carcinogens or residue from fumigation in the rice. This follows…
- Thailand News
Thailand to test decade-old rice stockpile for safety
The Government of Thailand confirmed that it will conduct lab tests on a decade-old rice stockpile to ascertain its safety for human consumption. This rice, a remnant from the tenure of ex-Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, has been stored in Surin warehouses. Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin assured this move in response to public demand for an official inspection of the rice…
- Thailand News
Concerns rise over Thai ministry’s plan to sell decade-old rice
Concerns are escalating over the Thai Commerce Ministry’s plan to sell decade-old rice from the former government’s rice-pledging scheme. Consumer safety watchdogs, including the Office of the Consumer Protection Board (OCPB) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), have been urged to investigate potential aflatoxin and chemical contamination in the grain. This appeal comes in the wake of Commerce Minister…
- Thailand News
Price surge in off-season rice boosts Thai farming
The president of Ban Mai Khao Farmers Group commended the recent increase in the price of fresh off-season rice, which has hit 10,000 baht (US$280) per tonne. This price surge not only encourages the traditional practice of rice cultivation among Thai farmers but also ensures a steady income for them. Suphan Phathom’s area of oversight includes the last remaining rice…
- Business News
Thai commerce minister targets US for premium rice exports boost
Thai Commerce Minister Phumtham Wechayachai, during his visit to the US, affirmed his determination to boost exports of premium rice and other food products from Thailand. His ambition is to amplify exports of rice and food items from the Land of Smiles by 1.75 billion baht. The US, Thailand’s second largest trading partner and the principal importer of Thai hom…
- Business News
Rice prices surge to 15-year high amid demand and El Niño concerns
Rice prices have surged to a 15-year high amid growing concerns about the impact of increased demand and the effects of El Niño on supplies. The grain, a dietary staple for billions of people in Asia and Africa, saw its cost rise 2.5% last week, reaching US$650 a tonne, the highest point since October 2008. This information, provided by the…
- Thailand News
Thai farmer crafts cat and fish image from rainbow seedlings in rice field
In northern Chiang Rai’s Ban Khon Sung, an aerial view reveals a captivating image of a cat cuddling a fish, meticulously crafted from rainbow seedlings sprouting in a rice field. This picturesque scene mirrors a traditional Thai proverb symbolising prosperity. The artistic feat is a creation of Farmer Tanyapong Jaikham, who, alongside a group of labourers, planted the seedlings at…
- Thailand News
Thai village bans road rice drying after tragic motorcycle accident
A Thai village headman imposed a ban on drying rice on the roads, following a fatal accident involving a young motorcyclist who collided with a pile of rice. The decision comes from understanding the predicament of both parties involved and acknowledging the traditional practices of the villagers. The accident took place on November 23, involving 38 year old Thongthai, who…
- Business News
Rice to the occasion: Thai government shells out 55 billion baht for price stability
The Thai government sanctioned measures totalling 55 billion baht to secure stable rice prices for the 2023 to 2024 harvest season, as confirmed yesterday by Commerce Minister Phumtham Wechayachai. The approved strategy includes providing loans to farmers to withhold the sale of their paddy rice for five months and to agricultural cooperatives for market intervention until prices improve. Farmers who…
- China News
Rice or wrong: Chinese student’s homework stirs online uproar
A Chinese primary school student was given an unusual homework assignment, sparking a heated online debate. The task required him to count 10,000 grains of rice, a task that kept his family up all night. The incident took a surprising turn when the teacher revealed the true aim of the exercise. The assignment, given by a teacher in Liaoning province,…
- Business News
El Nino-induced drought disrupts Indonesia’s rice production, hikes prices
Indonesia, Southeast Asia’s largest economy, is grappling with a severe disruption to its rice production due to the extreme El Nino phenomenon. This drought-induced shortage has led to a surge in rice prices, impacting small businesses and consumers. Yanto, an East Jakarta food stall owner who caters to the lower-income bracket, has seen a significant profit decline since August, unable…
- Business News
Rice prices boil over, stirring inflation concerns for Asian central banks
Central banks across Asia are bracing themselves for the challenge of curbing inflation amid soaring food prices, particularly rice, a dietary staple in the region. The cost of rice surged to its highest since 2008, sparking concern among economists at HSBC Holdings Plc. Frederic Neumann, leading a team of economists at HSBC, referred to the significant impact of the 2008…
- Thailand News
Thai sticky rice steamers turned sun hats by tourists spark online laughter
We’ve all been there – when the summer weather just gets so hot that you’ll use whatever means necessary to cool down and get out of the sun. Using cardboard as a fan, standing in front of the coolers at 7-Eleven, dunking your head in the fountain in the park, anything to beat the heat. Two foreigners went viral yesterday on…
- Business News
Rice and shine: Thailand sets sights on 8 million tonnes export mark
The director-general of the Department of Foreign Trade, Ronnarong Phoolpipat, announced that Thailand’s rice exports are expected to achieve the target of 8 million tonnes this year. This forecast comes after the recorded shipments through to August 29 reached 5.29 million tonnes, reflecting a year-on-year increase of 11.9%. This upswing in rice exports aligns with the rising concerns over drought…
- Economy News
Rice price hikes worry restaurant owners, some pass costs to diners
Rice prices have begun to climb, causing restaurateurs concern about the cost of producing made-to-order meals. Despite this, some restaurants have opted not to increase prices, sympathising with their customers. They are instead appealing to the government to control the cost. The Ministry of Commerce directed related agencies to balance rice prices after a lull in rainfall from El Niño…
- Economy News
Global rice trade shook by El Nino, politics, and embargo in Thailand
In the face of mounting global food security concerns, the impact of El Niño weather patterns and international political disruptions are causing serious upheavals in the farming landscape, particularly in major global rice-producing countries. Compounding the issue is Russia’s recent withdrawal from a vital agreement, which previously ensured the uninterrupted transport of Ukrainian grain goods through the Black Sea region.…
- Business News
Rice export surge: Thailand fast-tracks new varieties to boost global market share
Thailand is making significant strides in boosting its export competitiveness by fast-tracking the development of new rice varieties to meet global market demand, with plans to introduce 30 new varieties in the coming year. Following the “new rice variety contest for Commerce” event, Commerce Minister Jurin Laksanawisit discussed Thailand’s efforts to combat the lack of diversity in its product offerings…
- Thailand News
Rice corruption: MFP probes suspicious 12.5 million baht event spending
The Move Forward Party (MFP) has initiated an inquiry into allegations of irregular expenditure related to an event organised by the Department of Rice. The party has warned that the incoming government will not tolerate rice corruption. During a press conference, MFP deputy spokesperson Karoonpon Tieansuwan revealed that the party had received a complaint from officials within the Ministry of…
- Environment News
Thai Rice NAMA initiative offers eco-friendly rice giveaway for farmers
Bangchak Corporation Limited has selected Thai Rice NAMA as a token of appreciation for customers on World Environment Day, in support of Thai farmers using innovative growing techniques to combat climate change. By fuelling vehicles for 900 baht, patrons can receive a free 200 gram pack of Thai Rice NAMA, worth 15 baht, from June 5 to 30 (or until…
- Economy News
‘Eat more rice!’ Thai officials tell youth
“Eat more rice!” Thai officials are telling the country’s youth. The Thai Commerce Ministry wants young people to eat more rice. The ministry launched a campaign after a study showed that Thailand’s consumption of rice had fallen. The department launched the “Thai Kids Enjoy Thai Rice” roadshow, visiting 10 schools and weekend markets, Nation Thailand reported yesterday. The Thai Rice…
- Hot News
Flooding may impact Thailand’s tourism recovery
Hopes for Thailand’s tourism industry to recover are being challenged by the worst flooding the kingdom has seen in years. With large areas of croplands being suffocated by seasonal storms and rising rivers, food prices are at risk of increasing while tourism recovery is undoubtedly being slowed. According to Bangkok Post, popular tourist destinations are now being flooded by heavy…
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