Prime Minister Anutin clarified remarks made by Professor Pavin regarding a photo of him dining with Supachai and the New Zealand Ambassador, affirming that all the ingredients used were Thai, including sticky rice, and apologized for not providing detailed information.
On 28 February 2026, Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul posted a statement addressing Professor Pavin Chachavalpongpun, a professor at the Center for Southeast Asian Studies, Kyoto University, who shared a photo of Anutin with Supachai Sutthumpun, the Minister of Commerce.Having dinner togetherwith H.E. Mr. Jonathan Kings, New Zealand Ambassador to Thailand, and his wife. Professor Pavin noted that Anutin and Supachai hosted guests at a time when Thai agricultural product prices have fallen sharply, and when one of the people at the table is the Commerce Minister.Iexpected to see a table full of Thai rice, sweet corn, and fragrant coconut water, butIdid not see any of these. Why was this opportunity not used to promote Thai agricultural products?
Earlier, Anutin briefly described the photo as a "Working dinner with New Zealand Ambassador."
Later, AnutinsharedProfessor Pavin's post along with a clarification that they dined at the New Zealand Ambassador's residence, where the ambassador hired a New Zealand chef who opened a restaurant in Thailand. The food was prepared entirely with Thai ingredients, including sticky rice. He apologized for not providing these details earlier. Professor Pavincommentedin reply, "Thank you, Anu, for taking the time to respond. Many thanks."