PM warns over food security

Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has ordered government agencies to prepare for potential cyberattacks targeting food storage and supply systems.

The move follows incidents in Europe in which hackers reportedly manipulated supermarket refrigeration controls, raising concerns about Thailand's food security and agricultural exports.

Mr Anutin said the issue had been raised at Tuesday's cabinet meeting and that relevant agencies, including the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society and technology-related departments under the Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation Ministry, must ensure Thailand's systems are protected against cyber intrusions.

He said the Royal Thai Police (RTP) and the Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau were monitoring the situation, adding that the reported attacks, which caused refrigeration temperatures to rise across food storage facilities, represented a new type of threat that required further investigation.

Mr Anutin said he had instructed the Commerce Ministry to examine the incidents and consider whether agricultural exporters needed insurance protection or revised credit-term conditions.

As Thailand is a major food exporter, he said safeguards were necessary to protect producers and traders from overseas buyers potentially refusing payment by claiming that goods had spoiled or failed to meet standards following cyberattacks.

Pheu Thai list-MP Jakrapob Penkair, an adviser to the chairman of the House committee on agriculture and cooperatives, said a working group was due to meet yesterday to examine the risks and develop preventive measures.

He said the European incidents demonstrated how attacks on digitally connected infrastructure could disrupt food production, storage and distribution. He cited reports of refrigeration systems being manipulated to reach 50C, damaging fresh and frozen food.

Although the attacks had occurred amid tensions over the Russia-Ukraine war, Mr Jakrapob said there was no conclusive evidence identifying those responsible or establishing a link to Russia. He urged caution against drawing premature conclusions.

National Security Council secretary-general Gen Chaiyapruek Duangprapat said the council would convene a meeting today, bringing relevant agencies together to review operational procedures.

Security expert Panitan Wattanayagorn said the European attacks exposed vulnerabilities in food storage and industrial supply chains.