4 replies to this topic

[Gene]

If you ever wonder where the Thais get some of their quaint notions that everything Thai is by definition superior:

"His Majesty the King has applauded Thai researchers and others involved in patenting the genes that produce the aroma in Thai rice. The King yesterday addressed a delegation saying the patent was a significant step in keeping Thai rice in the possession of Thais.

''I hope that every one of us will keep our Thainess by eating Thai rice, not farang rice,'' he said. ''I thank everyone who has worked on the rice patent issue.''

His Majesty received a gold medal for his contribution to the research and development of Thai rice during the audience at Klai Kangwon Palace in Hua Hin."

http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/local/1906...hai-rice-patent

[Garcia]

''I hope that every one of us will keep our Thainess by eating Thai rice, not farang rice,'' he said

Unfortunately, there are a lot of farmers and poor people who rarely eat Thai Jasmin rice because it is considerably more expensive than the local white rice variety and Jasmin has more value on the export market. A lot of Thai restaurants in Thailand don't serve it for the same reason.

My guess is that the palace doesn't worry too much about the higher price of eating fragrant rice.

[Tuckerton]

Unfortunately, there are a lot of farmers and poor people who rarely eat Thai Jasmin rice because it is considerably more expensive than the local white rice variety and Jasmin has more value on the export market.

It's somewhat ironic that the USA is probably the worlds largest importer and consumer of Thai Jasmine Rice. This speaks well for the gastronomic good taste of Americans. However this situation manifests itself in that American ExPats here in Thailand have trouble finding Jasmine Rice in local markets. All the while it seems also ironic that wealthy Thai rice exporters reap the profits rather than Thai farmers! It's sad too that the genotype and patent for Thai Jasmine Rice was originally bio-engineered by a Thai botanist. Does anyone know what share of Thailand's Jasmine Rice market this truly brilliant scientist receives?

[UncleSam]

I hope that every one of us will keep our Thainess by eating Thai rice, not farang rice...

there are a lot of farmers and poor people who rarely eat Thai Jasmin rice because it is considerably more expensive than the local white rice variety

This sounds a lot like what Marie Antoinette said about eating cake.

Hehehe.....

[hehehe]

This speaks well for the gastronomic good taste of Americans




hehehe!