BANGKOK: The Thai Cabinet recently experienced a heated clash during a meeting regarding the alarming rejection of durian exports, prompting serious concerns over food safety and trade.

Commerce Minister Pichai Naripthaphan and Agriculture Minister Narumon Pinyosinwat found themselves at odds after a shipment of 64 tonnes of Thai durian was rejected by China last month due to contamination with Basic Yellow 2, a carcinogenic dye.

Prime Minister's secretary Prommin Lertsuridej brought the issue to light during the Cabinet meeting, urging both the Commerce and Agriculture ministries to enhance testing protocols for durian exports to prevent further incidents.

The revelation ignited a contentious debate between Pichai and Narumon, particularly over the procedure for disposing of the contaminated durians. Pichai questioned why the rejected fruits were not destroyed immediately, while Narumon insisted on following proper protocols for disposal.

As tensions escalated, Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra intervened, encouraging both ministers to settle their differences privately and report back to the Cabinet later.

In a lighter turn of events, Pichai later downplayed the incident, stating, “It was nothing. I was just concerned about exports, and the matter has been cleared up.”

Despite the Cabinet's attempts to maintain order, the consequences of the contaminated durian have raised serious concerns within the agriculture sector.

Pichai is set to meet with durian farmers from Chanthaburi to discuss clearer export procedures in light of these recent events.

In a scandalous twist, Rapeepat Chansriwong, the director-general of the Agriculture Department, is now under investigation concerning allegations of bribery related to the testing for Basic Yellow 2.

Following accusations from durian exporters that his department was demanding unnecessary testing fees, Rapeepat was swiftly moved to an inactive position last Friday, heightening scrutiny over the department’s practices.

China serves as the largest export market for Thai durians, generating billions of baht annually, making the integrity of exports crucial for the Thai economy.

The recent developments have left farmers and exporters anxious about their future, highlighting the need for rigorous oversight in the agriculture sector to safeguard both public health and trade interests.

Stay tuned as more updates unfold regarding the implications of this controversy on Thailand’s lucrative durian industry!