Thailand government's effort to buy more than 53 MT of cadmium contaminated rice from local farmers hit a roadblock as farmers turn down government's offer demanding a better price.

The rice, which is to be destroyed, is part of the crop from over 13,000 rai of cadmium-contaminated area along the Mae Tao and Mae Ku river basins in tambon Mae Tao, Phrathat Padaeng and Mae Ku in Tak.

After the International Water Management Institute detected high levels of cadmium which is linked to severe bone disease the Thailand government has been trying to promote cultivation of non-edible crops instead of rice in the area.

Zinc miners in the area are suspected of causing the cadmium contamination in the soil.