The commerce minister has confirmed that there is an adequate amount of rice to meet domestic demand until next year.  Meanwhile, she has ordered that exports of rice from government stockpiles be suspended.

Commerce Minister Porntiva Nakasai presided over a ceremony to launch mobile units containing a variety of consumer products under the government's blue flag campaign.  The units will supply discounted goods to various communities in Songkhla that were affected by flooding.

Porntiva said she has ordered the Foreign Trade Department to wait to release its rice stock until a more complete assessment of the damage to rice crops has been completed.

Despite the terrible damage to paddy fields, the commerce minister has assured the public that there is a sufficient amount of rice for domestic consumption for this year and next.

As for reports of rising prices of packed rice, Porntiva said she has instructed related agencies to verify the matter, as her ministry has been encouraging merchants to peg product prices through the end of the year.

Consumer goods such as fish sauce, sugar, powdered detergent, drinking water and instant noodles, as well as construction materials like cement and bolts, are among the many products being supplied by the mobile units.

The products are available for between 20 to 40 percent off regular market prices in an effort to help those affected by the floods.

Source: TANN