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The article discusses the Asian rice industry in relation to the author's claim that governments in places such as Indonesia cause their own citizens to become poorer by interfering in the rice market as of 2015. According to the article, the wholesale cost of rice is higher in Indonesia than Cambodia due to Indonesia's role as a net importer of rice and Cambodia's ability to grow more rice than the nation needs. Transportation costs, import subsidies, and tariffs are also examined.

The author argues that government subsidies and protections for rice farmers in places such as Asia actually cause harm to the poorest people in the world, and it mentions data released by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation & Development regarding financial aid for rice and maize (corn) farmers. Tariffs, state monopolies, and the efforts to stimulate domestic production in Asian countries are also examined. Consumers in China, Indonesia, and the Philippines are assessed.

Discusses the economic aspects of Asia's poor as of April 1998. Mention that insurance companies in Hong Kong are reporting record results at the same time as the city's unemployment rate is rising; The rise in television viewing in Thailand as newly poor stay home rather than go out to eat or shop; Amway Malaysia being one of ING Barings' top-ten growth picks for the country.