TNAG-0050-FCO40-86-Disturbances-essential-food-supplies-1968 — Page 103

APPENDICES

Appendix

I. Rice Control Scheme-Quota Condition

Page

11

II. Rice Control Scheme List of Registered Importers/Stock-

holders, by Units Held and Normal Sources of Supply

12

III. List of Wholesalers

13

IV. Statistical Summary-

(i) Domestic Rice Production 1958–66 (average cultivated

paddy area and production)

(ii) Rice Imports (by source and grades)

.

V. Rice Consumption (aggregate, by grades and per capita)

VI. Extract from the 'Household Expenditure Survey 1963-64"

VII. Indicative Rice Price Movements 1962–66 (Annual averages)

16

17

18

VIII. Graphical Illustration of three monthly moving average of End-Month Prices of two Indicative grades of Thai Rice 1962-66.

19

xii

14

*5

15

1. HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

PRIOR TO 1939, there was no Government control, and the import section of the trade was in the hands of 22 importers who engaged extensively in re-export business, imports for local consumption being a relatively small part of their business. In June 1941, a Government Rice Monopoly was established by the purchase of all the then importers' stocks. The monopoly bought direct from Thailand and sold its rice to two retailers' associations, which then allocated their purchases to members for re-sale to the public. From the end of World War II in 1945 up to 1951 all imports were on Government account and sold through official retail shops. Thereafter up to 31st December 1954, a ‘mixed' system operated, partly free and unrationed, and partly rationed and price-controlled. Importers were allowed to bring in supplies of higher grade rice bought commercially from producing countries; these grades were unrationed and were sold in rice retail shops at commercial prices. In order to provide cheap rice for the community, a range of 3 cheaper grades (5% and 15% Whole Rice, and 100% Broken) mostly, but by no means exclusively, from Thailand was imported by Government, and sold on ration at Government rice shops, whose owners received a commission on the quantity sold. There were 3 ration periods monthly (10-day intervals) during which one particular grade was sold. A large part of the population was never registered for rice ration cards and an attempt to extend reg- istration to the whole population in 1953 was a failure.

The cost of rice rose steadily in post-war years. Government stocks con- sequently appreciated steadily in value, and were sold at correspondingly higher prices until the first really abundant post-war harvest in Thailand led to a rapid price fall in the autumn of 1953. Rising living standards, combined with the price fall, enabled consumers to exercise greater choice, and business in the Government rice shops fell off rapidly; hence the failure of registration for rice rations. Government abolished the ration system in July 1954, disposing of its remaining stocks during the remainder of that year by public auction and later, direct arrangement with stock- holders-to-be. It substituted a scheme to meet the same objectives as the rice ration scheme, i.e. to ensure a reserve stock of rice to meet emergencies, cover fluctuation in supply, and to cushion price changes.

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