PM reaffirms quality of Thai rice

BANGKOK, July 18 (TNA) - Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has reaffirmed the quality of Thai rice, saying that Thai grains are better than those of other countries. The prime minister made the remarks after inspecting rice-packing facilities of Royal Umbrella in Ayutthaya province, whose rice have been hit by rumour of chemical contamination. Yingluck’s visit to Ayutthaya province is part of her two-day upcountry tours to meet with local officials and inspect the government’s rice pledging scheme. In her trips, Yingluck is accompanied by Public Health Minister Dr. Pradit Sintawanarong and Deputy Commerce Minister Yanyong Phuangrach. The Thai premier and her ministers took a bite of the company’s rice to confirm the public that they are safe to eat. Yingluck stressed that government authorities have strictly controlled the quality of rice under the rice-pledging scheme from the cultivation process to the storage and packaging processes. She said she has also instructed officials to eliminate false perception that could affect rice exports. (TNA)