Thai PM urges public not to hoard food despite 72-hour emergency kit advice

Thai Prime Minister Anutin Curnuw urged citizens on Thursday not to hoard food, despite the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation's (DDPM) recent recommendation for households to prepare emergency kits capable of sustaining them for three days. The Prime Minister emphasized Thailand's status as a major agricultural producer, highlighting the nation's diverse range of agricultural products that ensure a steady domestic food supply.

This advice came in the wake of the DDPM's advisory, which aimed to promote disaster preparedness without creating unnecessary alarm among the public. The DDPM's Director-General, Nirat Pongsitthaworn, clarified that the emergency kits were intended as a basic measure to counter potential emergencies, rather than a sign of an impending crisis.

The National Security Council (NSC) also reassured the public that there was no need to stockpile food, even as international tensions escalate, as Thailand's Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives confirmed that rice production surpassed domestic consumption, and supplies of essential goods remained adequate. However, certain products like dairy and cooking seasonings might face shortages, prompting the ministry to devise strategies to address potential supply imbalances.

The NSC is actively considering the establishment of a national food reserve as part of their long-term preparedness strategy to strengthen Thailand's overall resilience against disruptions.