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Pledge scheme rice still good to eat after 10 years - commerce minister

13 Sept 09:15 Key points summarised by AI

Commerce Minister Phumtham Wechayachai confirmed that rice from the controversial Yingluck government's pledging scheme, stored for over ten years, remains edible despite its diminished fragrance.
After tasting samples, the minister stated the rice was soft and edible, suggesting it could fetch 17-18 baht per kilogram and potentially generate 400 million baht if sold to markets like Africa.
Phumtham clarified his visit aimed to assess the rice's quality for sale, not to revive the scheme, and expects an auction next month to finally conclude the long-standing scandal.
The original rice pledging scheme, launched by the Yingluck administration, is alleged to have cost taxpayers over 500 billion baht and led to significant prison terms for former commerce officials.

Today 09:24 Key points summarised by AI

Thailand secured a US$200 million loan from the World Bank to significantly invest in clean energy and low-carbon urban development initiatives.
The program aims to drive clean energy funding and low-carbon growth, ensuring a just transition for small and medium-sized enterprises, workers, farmers, and local communities.
Channelled through the Export-Import Bank of Thailand, the loan will fund energy efficiency upgrades in public buildings and industrial areas, including rooftop solar installations and electrical system modernizations, reducing initial capital burdens via Energy Service Companies (ESCOs).