11 July 2024

Thailand’s Prime Minister has ordered the cabinet to use the military farmland to grow coriander, often known as “Chinese Parsley”, as prices in some areas have jumped to 300-400 baht per kilogram due to the flooding.

Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives Chalermchai Sri-on said that Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha expressed concern over the general price increases of agricultural goods, especially coriander.

Chalermchai explained that flooding has caused vegetable prices to increase in the short-term. He also added that vegetables, such as coriander and chilli, are commonly home grown in such areas.

Meanwhile, Deputy Government Spokesperson RachadaDhnadirek said that the prime minister also discussed expensive fertilisers. The Ministry of Commerce has talked to 19 businesses, seeking to limit fertilizer prices to ease the burden on farmers.

The cabinet heard that that China has been selling fertilisers to India, which makes it harder for Thailand to purchase them, leading to the increase in prices.