Rice inquiry is welcome news

EDITORIAL

Published: 6 Dec 2012 at 00.00
Newspaper section: News

Albeit belatedly, the fact that the National Anti-Corruption Commission has decided to look into suspected irregularities in the Commerce Ministry's handling of the government's rice pledging scheme comes as welcome news.

NACC spokesman Klanarong Chantik says the complaint by Warong Dejkitvikrom, Democrat MP for Phitsanulok, has sufficient grounds to warrant an investigation into the populist scheme. A panel comprising Mr Klanarong and two other commission members, Vicha Mahakhun and Pol Gen Sathaporn Laothong, will take charge of the probe originally targeting Commerce Minister Boonsong Teriyapirom, but will be expanded to cover more people if they are implicated.

The NACC's inquiry will be based on the evidence provided by Mr Warong which was already presented by the Democrat MP during the censure debate in parliament last week although the debate targeted Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra for alleged mishandling of the pledging scheme.

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peterl
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Discussion 9 : 06 Dec 2012 at 19.209
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A complex issue. Sometimes there are sound reasons for "commercial in confidence" information. An "in-camera" inquiry by someone with a business background into whether the Commerce Ministry has drawn this line correctly in implementing the rice pledging scheme is what is needed. Has the NACC demonstrated that it is equipped to carry out this type of inquiry? Not that I am aware of.
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englishbob
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Discussion 8 : 06 Dec 2012 at 18.338
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Is it a coincidence that as soon as an investigation into PT's very shady rice pledging scheme is announced, suddenly there are charges laid against Abhisit and Suthep?

Tit for tat.
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Renaissance
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Discussion 7 : 06 Dec 2012 at 17.327
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Does anyone really expect any decision other than, "There is no evidence of corruption." to result from the investigation?
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Eric
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Discussion 6 : 06 Dec 2012 at 14.146
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The NACC investigation is indeed a welcome news. All government policies whether they are pledging or insurance scheme have something in common which are to help farmers earn their well deserved income and keeping rice growing sustainable. Unfortunate, there are unscrupulous people taking advantage of the scheme to enrich themselves. I wish the NACC success in catching these corrupted people and ensure that it is only the farmers benefit from the scheme.
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jwatch
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Discussion 5 : 06 Dec 2012 at 12.315
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it would be nice to have tax money accountable...its only fair to the tax payer IMHO
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mogy71
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Discussion 4 : 06 Dec 2012 at 09.444
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That's brilliant and one I hadn't heard before. The company buys the stock under table from the gov and then sell it back to the gov again and then probably buy it again and then...
How long can rice stay in storage ?
'Hence, the public has been kept completely in the dark' - whats that common Thai phrase that translates roughly to serves you right...
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amazed
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Discussion 3 : 06 Dec 2012 at 08.233
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Those in possession of absolute power can not only prophesy and make their prophecies come true, but they can also lie and make their lies come true.
-Eric Hoffer

When this has been allowed to run it's course, we shall witness the most lame, laughable and intelligence insulting excuses imaginable. Par for the course, it will also be someone else's fault.
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facts_only
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Discussion 2 : 06 Dec 2012 at 08.012
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"Self-sufficiency in grains is a sensitive subject in China..." Wall Street Journal, Nov 25

"Government spokesman Tossaporn Serirak said that the memorandum on rice trading does not specify the timeframe or the quantity of Thia rice China wants to import, since it is regarded as a sensitive product by the of World Trade Organisation." BangkokPost, Nov 21

"China will not specify an exact import volume from Thailand, rice being listed as a sensitive product under its commitments with the World Trade Organisation, a senior official said yesterday." TN, Nov 21
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oldairman
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Discussion 1 : 06 Dec 2012 at 06.531
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I remember readin the the deal between China and Thailand was for 5 million tons of rice over 3 years and now it seems to be 5 million tons per year, a threefold magical increase.
Is this rice in addition to the rice that China normally buys or just a bit extra?
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Rice inquiry is welcome news | Bangkok Post: opinion