BANGKOK, 11 July 2013 The Commerce Ministry is looking for ways to take action against individuals who make false claims about the quality of rice from the government’s pledging scheme on social media, citing that rumors may affect Thai rice export.
Deputy Commerce Minister Yanyong Phuangrach has instructed the Department of Internal Trade to find out if any legal punishments could be enforced on those trying to sabotage the reputation of Thai rice by spreading rumors on social media. He confirmed that all processes from production, packaging and storage to distribution of Thai rice have been conducted in accordance with the standard.
In a bid to guarantee the quality of rice, Mr. Yanyong and Commerce Minister Niwatthamrong Boonsongpaisarn will on Saturday lead the press to observe the rice packaging process at a factory that supplies the product to domestic and overseas markets.
Mr. Yanyong also reported that the sales of rice in several department stores have declined after the rumors of contaminated rice circulated the social media. He urged related authorities to immediately create a correct understanding of the quality of Thai rice among consumers and importers abroad.
