BANGKOK, Sept 11 (TNA) – The government has begun distributing
glutinous rice for low-income people in the wake of shortage and price hike.
Commerce Minister Jurin Laksanawisit released a caravan of
trucks loaded with 1,000 tons of bagged sticky rice to 60 provinces across
Thailand.
The government’s assistance came after price of sticky rice
skyrocketed due to low supply and shortage resulted from drought and other
factors.
Jurin said the distribution of glutinous rice packs focused
on provinces in upper Thailand where sticky rice was popular staple food.
The current glutinous rice price is THB17,000-18,000,
compared with THB9,500 last year.
Jurin said the government-sponsored discounted glutinous
rice will be made available mainly at the Ministry’s Blue Flag shops
countrywide to alleviate impacts on consumers.
The Ministry had also assessed the market demand for
glutinous rice and would produce another batch of 2,000 tons to help low-income
earners, he added.(TNA)
