BANGKOK, Sept. 9 (Xinhua) -- The Thai Commerce Ministry on Monday announced it will start distribution of glutinous rice packs, with price set much lower than the market prices to provide relief to low-income consumers in the wake of the all-time high prices of glutinous rice.
Commerce Minister Jurin Laksanavisit said with the recent drought and low supply leading to the high price of glutinous rice, the government-sponsored discounted glutinous rice will alleviate impacts on consumers nationwide.
Jurin said the discount will start on Sept 11 and will be available at Blue Flag shops.
Supachai Vorraapinyaporn, president of Tanasan Rice Group, one of Thailand's main rice exporters, said the Internal Trade Department signed a contract agreement to hire his company to produce packaged glutinous rice at special prices to help consumers.
"Therefore our company will be producing 300,000 glutinous rice packs, which will be available at 70 baht for two kilogram packs and 175 baht for five kilogram packs," said Supachai, "prices will be set at 10-15 baht lower than the normal price in the market."
The production of the glutinous rice packs is expected to be completed by Sept 17 and they will be delivered to the Blue Flag shops within this month.
By next week, the first lot of glutinous rice packs will be sent to the blue flag shops in Pathum Thani, a province neighboring Bangkok.
