Thai PM Anutin Directs Urgent Talks With Malaysia Over Temporary Shrimp Import Ban

By Kenny Teng

BANGKOK, June 2 (Bernama) -- Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul on Tuesday directed immediate discussions with Malaysia following its temporary ban on imports of five Thai shrimp species, warning that prolonged restrictions could hurt shrimp farmers, exporters and the broader seafood supply chain.

The directive came after Malaysia's Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security announced a temporary suspension on imports of five Thai shrimp species effective June 1 as part of tighter controls on fisheries products from Thailand.

The affected species are Penaeus esculentus (brown tiger prawn), Fenneropenaeus merguiensis (banana prawn), Penaeus vannamei (whiteleg shrimp), Penaeus monodon (giant tiger prawn) and Penaeus stylirostris (blue shrimp).

Government spokesperson Ratchada Thanadirek said Anutin who is also the Interior Minister, issued the directive during the cabinet meeting, citing the importance of safeguarding the livelihoods of shrimp farmers and workers across the industry's supply chain.

"If the issue is allowed to persist, it could affect farm-gate shrimp prices and the incomes of small-scale farmers," she said in a statement following the Cabinet meeting at Government House on Tuesday.

Ratchada said the prime minister had instructed the Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister, together with the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, to hold urgent discussions with Malaysian authorities to seek a solution that protects bilateral trade while ensuring Thai farmers do not bear the burden alone.

“The Prime Minister emphasised that this issue must not become a burden borne solely by farmers, as the shrimp industry supports an entire supply chain, including farms, collectors, processing plants, exporters and a large workforce," she said.

She added that relevant agencies had also been directed to prepare measures to cushion the impact of the restriction, including stabilising farm-gate prices, managing any surplus domestic supply and accelerating efforts to secure alternative export markets.

-- BERNAMA