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  1. #401
    Guest Member S Landreth's Avatar
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    Damn! 10% (maybe 20) doesn’t meet declared amount or quality.

    Rice stocks checking show 80% meets declared amount and quality

    Rice stock checking of 1,290 warehouses from the total 1,787 warehouse joining the former government’s rice pledging scheme has proved that 80% of rice are quality rice and meet the amount declared in official documents.

    Gen Chatchai Sarikalya, deputy leader in charge of economic affairs of the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO), in his capacity as chairman of the Rice Policy and Management Committee , revealed Monday that he has received reports of rice stock checking from authorities of 1,290 warehouses or 72% of the total 1,787 warehouses joining the rice pledging scheme across the country.

    The checking showed that 80% of rice checked is of good quality and the quantity of rice in the warehouses met the figures stated in the official documents, with only 10% that did not meet the declared amount and quality.

    He said authorities would continue to check the warehouses in details again.

    Meanwhile he said he has ordered all relevant government agencies to monitor all measures which were introduced and implemented to help farmers to see if they have achieved success or not.

    He said that it was not necessary right now to hastily sell rice in the market but at appropriate time based on demand and supply to prevent impact on Thai rice prices.

    He also said that the NCPO would ensure that the populist price guarantee and the rice pledging schemes would not be revived again as the NCPO would emphasize on cost cutting measures instead to help rice farmers.
    Keep your friends close and your enemies closer.

  2. #402
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    Quote Originally Posted by S Landreth
    10 years for Yingluck if found guilty? There might be a reason for her purchasing a one way ticket
    Well, they certainly hope so! The media hype is hardly subtle.
    I certainly know which way I would play it if I was her, given the notoriously independent and unbiased 'judiciary' here- but we'll see. It would be a brave decision to return, certainly- and would cause considerable discomfiture in establishment circles, chuckle.

    If the domestic press articles are to be taken literally, it would appear that Isaan is a uniquely uncorrupt part of Thailand, at least as far as rice is concerned-

    The Nakhon Ratchasima-based 2nd Army has completed the inspection of rice under the previous government's rice-pledging scheme at 297 warehouses in 14 northeastern provinces, according to Col Chinkaj Rattanachit.

    Col Chinkaj, the 2nd Army spokesman, said the inspection was carried out between July 3 and 26 in Nakhon Ratchasima, Chaiyaphum, Surin, Buri Ram, Khon Kaen, Udon Thani, Sakon Nakhon, Nakhon Phanom, Kalasin, Roi-et, Yasothon, Amnat Charoen, Ubon Ratchathani and Si Sa Ket provinces.

    The inspection was made by 13 teams of eight soldiers each, or a total of 104 soldiers.

    After the completion of the inspection, it was concluded that 4,298 sacks of rice from a total of 23,235,449 stored at 297 warehouses had gone missing. The amount was only 0.018% of the total and did not exceed the 5% margin of error fixed by the committee set up to check the quantity and quality of rice.

    The soldiers also found 17,505 sacks of rice, or 0.08% of the total, had been damaged by flooding.


    Bangkok Post : The world windows to Thailand


    I'd like to wait for something definitive, rather than politically inspired sabre rattling and soundbites. But TIT, doubt we'll ever get that. The impression I'm getting frankly is that PT/takkie/yingluck complicity in rice scheme corruption is not as much as had been hoped for...

  3. #403
    Guest Member S Landreth's Avatar
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    Two rice thieves arrested | Thai PBS English News

    Police have arrested two warehouse owners after finding them guilty of stealing almost 100,000 sacks of rice, worth 98 million baht, from their own warehouses which they rented to the state to store the rice bought from farmers under the rice-pledging scheme.

    The arrest came after authorities discovered foul play by the warehouse owners when they erected scaffolds under piles of rice sacks a few weeks ago in Pathum Thani province.

    Warehouse operators, Teerasak Seangwarangul, also known as Sia Ouan and his cousin Kittipong Seangwarangul were arrested today at a hotel in Bangkok’s out skirt areas.

    The two were reportedly rented their warehouses in Pathum Thani province to the Marketing Organization for Farmers to store rice bought from farmers under the rice pledging scheme.

    But the two later clandestinely stole about 98,000 sacks of rice, worth up to 98 million baht from the warehouses.

    The suspects reportedly built scaffolds and place rice sacks on top to deceive rice stock inspection team.

    A thorough inspection found that there was no rice under the scaffolds.

    Royal Thai Police deputy commissioner Gen Ake Angsananont said police would find out more conspirators to the theft as they believed more were involved in the theft.
    _______________


    Rice whistleblower is baffled that only 10 percent of rice in stockpiles are bad | Thai PBS English News


    Former Democrat MP for Phitsanulok Dr Warong Dechgitvigrom expressed his concern on Wednesday that the committee tasked with inspecting rice stockpiles might have strayed out of course for its quick conclusion that only ten percent of the grains are rotten or below the required quality.

    Dr Warong whose whistle-blowing about alleged massive corruption in the Pheu Thai party’s rice pledging scheme which led to an intensive investigation by the National Anti-Corruption Commission said that the committee led by prime minister’s office permanent secretary M.L. Panadda Diskul had done a good job for its exposure of irregularities in the storing of rice at more than 1,700 warehouses and silos across the country.

    However, he said that he was baffled by the committee’s conclusion, after having inspected 1,290 warehouses and silos, that over 80 percent of the grains stored are alright with just about 10 percent of the rice which are rotten or substandard.

    The former Democrat MP pointed out that section teams only made random inspection of the rice in stockpiles and did not examine every sack of rice and only 1,290 warehouses and silos were inspected.

    He warned that the committee’s conclusion might cause public confusion. However, he added that he fully supported the committee for its tireless efforts to do its job.

    He then referred to a statement by the honorary president of the Thai Millers Association that the committee must call a spade a spade about the result of its inspection and should clearly spell out the irregularities.
    Last edited by S Landreth; 31-07-2014 at 02:15 AM.

  4. #404
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    Quote Originally Posted by S Landreth
    He warned that the committee’s conclusion might cause public confusion.
    read- democrat confoundedness. Although a 'mere' 10% of spoiled stock might disappoint the ex-Honorable MP, it is still unacceptable in my book. But given the exemplary results of the Isaan inspection, I find myself wondering with regards to the location of these irregularities. More and better information required.

  5. #405
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    Quote Originally Posted by sabang View Post

    Although a 'mere' 10% of spoiled stock might disappoint the ex-Honorable MP, it is still unacceptable in my book.
    Be interesting to know how this 10% compares to ' normal ' loss that occurs every year regardless of policy or politicians.

    When I lived in the boonies I was quite friendly with a rice miller and he told me there is always some wastage due to rats, insects, theft etc. He didn't put a percentage on it but said it was a fair bit.

  6. #406
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    Wotif.... the PT rice scheme were to turn out cleaner than the Democrats rice scheme?

  7. #407
    Guest Member S Landreth's Avatar
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    NACC to file case against Ms Yingluck to the prosecution on Tuesday


    The National Anti-Corruption Commission will submit its criminal case file against former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra regarding the rice pledging scheme to the Office of the Attorney-General on Tuesday.

    NACC deputy secretary-general Witthaya Arkhompitak said today that all the members of the commission had endorsed the case file with the recommendation that Ms Yingluck should be charged with malfeasance in office under Article 157 of the Criminal Code for her gross negligence in overseeing the scheme causing enormous loss to the state coffers.

    Mr Witthaya said the OAG has 30 days to proceed with the case to the Supreme Court’s criminal division for political office holders or to drop the case.

    In case that the OAG disagrees with the NACC, a joint panel between the OAD and the NACC will be set up to review the case file. And if the OAG still disagrees with the NACC, then the NACC will have to initiate the case to the court by itself.
    Last edited by S Landreth; 05-08-2014 at 02:19 AM.

  8. #408
    Guest Member S Landreth's Avatar
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    It's official

    Graft buster officially charges Yingluck


    The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) submitted its criminal case file against former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra regarding the rice pledging scheme to the Office of the Attorney-General (OAG) on Tuesday.

    The NACC accused Yingluck of malfeasance in office under Article 157 of the Criminal Code for her gross negligence in overseeing the scheme causing enormous 500 billion baht loss to the state coffers.

    OAG spokesperson Mrs Santanee Disayabutr said the OAG would set up a special team led by its deputy chief to look into all the charges and the evidences.

    If there are substantial evidence in the report, the OAG could then proceed the prosecution in the Supreme Court’s Criminal Division for Holders of Political Posts, she said.

    Since the case is the focal interest of the public, the OAG will undertake it with care and base on the NACC’s reports.

    She said if all evidence are proved, it could then proceed the prosecution in 30 days.

    Asked if the prosecution would be obstructed when the accused is still abroad, she assured that the prosecution will go ahead although she does not show up, reasoning that at this stage, it is not necessary yet for her to appear as having her current permanent residence known is enough.

    Yingluck’s lawyer is scheduled to petition the OAG against the NACC’s charges Wednesday.

  9. #409
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    Yes, but... these are the same people that threw her and most of her Cabinet out for appointing a senior civil servant, and transferring another (a sworn enemy of PT). The Constitutional court and NACC are so thoroughly corrupted and politicised, their words and actions mean nothing. Need I bring up the Youtube scandal(s)?

    What I, and I would think most people interested in actual Jurisprudence, are interested in is evidence to suggest that PT is complicit in corruption, involving the rice scheme. I have yet to see any hard evidence forthcoming, except for the fact a 'Thaksin crony' is one of the warehousing rice thieves, in Samut Prakhon from memory. But one among several, including military personnel in at least one case, and Democrat strongholds in others. Isaan, in comparison, seems remarkably clean- and we are told it is a PT/ Thaksin stronghold.

    The fact that they are guilty of gross stupidity is manifest, imo- given the dumb way they stockpiled rice in a falling market. But if gross stupidity were a criminal offence, we would not have an EU now, given their wine lakes and other idiotic stuff. And the US government could be indicted too, given the fact that it's gross protectionism (for the benefit of an ultra right wing ex-Cuban cabal, mainly) means that US citizens pay twice the market rate for sugar (and we know how much the 'merkins like their sugar). Ditto the Japanese government and it's cossetted rice farmers, which translates to the fact that Japs pay a huge premium for their rice too. To say nothing of the fact the military Junta has recently announced a support scheme for rubber (which benefits us more locally than rice frankly, given that most rice grown locally in my neck of Ubon is consumed locally, whereas rubber is the growth crop). I would be interested to compare & contrast the differences between the rubber & previous rice price support mechanisms actually, but little in the way of hard facts at the moment.

  10. #410
    I'm in Jail
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    what was really criminal from Thaksin and friends was to put in place such a stupid policy in the first place, and let poor Y hold the candle for it. Once again, it demonstrate that the Thaksin clan thought they could get away with it. This is the mind of criminals, and for that they need to be taken out of the political system and prosecuted for it.

    finding excuses by blaming the other camp or saying the other side did it too, is just demonstrating a weak mind, prone to moral corruption and weakness in logic.

    I know a few people who have had interviews and private talks with Y, and they all said the same thing, she wasn't too smart and quite ignorant, a bit like the base of Kwais she represent. Not a crime in itself, but a PM prone to easy corruption and bad decisions. In summary, a dangerous PM.

    it's easy to become a good PM, do nothing risky and work with the opposition on strategic national policies.

    That's how it's done in real Democracy.

  11. #411
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    Yingluck was only ever a show pony for Thaksin's party. She had an appeal that was easily merchandised by his machine, the one that created the PR for TRT, and it worked for not only the electorate but the international community who fell over themselves to be the first to offer vacuous plaudits on her stunning rise, each out doing the other in claiming that they had spotted her talent years ago.

    Of course, she simply didn't have a clue how to manage and in truth was never required to do so. Her responsibilities were merely to attend official functions and meet the masses during carefully choreographed events.

    That she was entirely ignorant of most issues was quite apparent when she conspicuously avoided commenting on any and deferred to whoever was chaperoning her at the time.

    I suppose it is only right that since she enjoyed the fruits of being Thaksin's proxy she should now suffer the consequences. The sheer ineptitude of the woman was perhaps made clear to all when she mingled among the flood victims in her Burberry wellington boots - the Thaksins were always such designer label whores.
    Last edited by Seekingasylum; 07-08-2014 at 01:23 AM.

  12. #412
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    Quote Originally Posted by sabang View Post
    Wotif.... the PT rice scheme were to turn out cleaner than the Democrats rice scheme?

    Priceless.

  13. #413
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    Quote Originally Posted by bucksyokel
    Well, all those involved should have their assets confiscated and such funds as may be raised put back into the states coffers as opposed to creative accounting politicians coffers.
    Would you take the same action with the losses on the Democrat rice scheme?
    What about the various other agricultural price support schemes- rubber, palm oil, cassava?

  14. #414
    Excommunicated baldrick's Avatar
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    ^ of course

    what reason would you have for not prosecuting those who commit offenses?

    was there international condemnation of the democrat rice scheme ?

  15. #415
    Guest Member S Landreth's Avatar
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    Most of the rice tested in government warehouses 'substandard' - The Nation

    Tests into the quality of rice in state warehouses have revealed "worrying" results with only about one in five found to be of standard quality, according to a document from the Prime Minister's Office.

    The inspection found that only 235 rice samples out of 1,339 samples tested from July 7-31 passed the standard quality, said the document distributed on Friday evening.

    The rest failed to meet the standard because it was apparent the colour was "wrong", the samples went bad or were damaged by pests, or were mixed with cheaper grains, among other things.

    ML Panadda Diskul, permanent secretary at the PM's Office, who chairs the subcommittee inspecting government stocks, said yesterday that the rice-quality inspection had unearthed "worrying" results. With the inspection due to be completed by the end of September, the report would be sent to the National Rice Policy Committee, which would announce the results to the media, he said.

    When asked if he was concerned that some of the low-quality rice may end up being exported, Panadda said the authorities would ensure that only good-quality rice would be sold to overseas markets.

    "Thai rice has been famous for a long time. I don't think any Thai would consider exporting bad products to foreign countries. We have to make sure that only good-quality Thai rice is exported," he said.

    Panadda was asked by reporters if people responsible for the degradation of rice in government stocks would be identified. He said that was the responsibility of another agency, as his panel was only responsible for checking the quantity and quality of rice in government stocks.

  16. #416
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    Quote Originally Posted by baldrick
    was there international condemnation of the democrat rice scheme ?
    Im not aware of international condemnation of either the Dem or PT schemes, at the political level- but plenty of domestic finger pointing, and allegations of corruption in both cases.

  17. #417
    Guest Member S Landreth's Avatar
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    Thailand May Lose $2.24 Billion from Spoilt Rice Stocks | Oryza

    Nearly 3 million tons, or about 17% of rice, from the Thailand government's overall stockpile of 18 million tons is not fit for human consumption, revealed the rice stock inspection team, according to local sources.

    The team, which completed inspection of about 90% of warehouses across the country, stated in a report last week that nearly 3 million tons of rice have deteriorated to the extent that it is not fit for human consumption, but can be used for other non-consumption purposes such as ethanol production, feed meal or for other industrial uses.

    In the present condition, the deteriorated rice is expected to be sold at around 2,500 - 3,000 baht (around $78 - $93) per ton, while the average cost incurred by the government to procure and store the rice is between 28,000 - 29,000 baht (around $871 - $902) per ton. This means the government may lose nearly 69 - 72 billion baht (around $2.14 - $2.24 billion) from the spoilt stock.

    Meanwhile, ethanol producers are sceptical over using rice as raw material. The former President of the Thai Ethanol Manufacturing Association (TEMA) noted that the manufactures need to replace ethanol making machines, which are suited to process cassava and molasses, suitable to process rice as well. He also noted that making ethanol from rice would cost around 48 baht (around $1.5) per litre, which is twice the cost of preparing ethanol from cassava and molasses.

    A source from the panel responsible for inspecting rice stocks told local sources that the owners of warehouses where damaged rice was found would be sued under contract for not keeping the rice in good condition.

    Separately, the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) is planning to launch the Rice Trade Development Institute (RTDI) to foster growth of the Thai rice industry. The Permanent Secretary to the Commerce Ministry told local sources that all rice sector stakeholders including government agencies, farmers, millers, packers, domestic rice traders and exporters, would be part of the RTDI and would make plans and strategies relating to plantations, production and marketing of rice in the country. She also noted that the government would allot 500 million baht (around $15.56 million) in next year's budget for the development of the Institute. She noted that the main focus of the NCPO is to reduce the paddy production cost and increase yield in the long-term.

  18. #418
    Guest Member S Landreth's Avatar
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    Yingluck escapes prosecution - Thai PBS English News

    Former Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra escaped prosecution when the attorney-general said investigation file case prepared by the graft buster in rice scheme corruption scandal is incomplete and needs further investigation.

    Attorney-general Trakul Winitnaiyapak said the investigation file was incomplete to proceed the prosecution.

    He said a joint committee comprising representatives of the Office of the Attorney-General and the National Anti Corruption Commission will be set up to look into the file case again.

    Earlier Mr Yrakul said he has set up a special team to look into the file case comprising more than 4,000 pages before making decision whether to indict Ms Yingluck of gross negligence of duty in supervising the rice pledging scheme causing extensive damage to the state.

    He had also disclosed that Ms Yingluck had asked the Office of Attorney-General to question 50 more witnesses.

    However, he said that the team of prosecutors would have to examine the case file first to determine whether the case was strong enough or not and whether more evidences are to be needed.

    Ms Yingluck was charged of malfeasance that incurred 500 billion baht damages to the country in her rice pledging scheme.

  19. #419
    Guest Member S Landreth's Avatar
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    Impeachment Hearings for Yingluck Shinawatra to Begin in January


    BANGKOK—Thailand’s military-appointed parliament on Friday said it would begin impeachment hearings against former Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra in January over her controversial rice-subsidy program, a move analysts say is a bid to curtail her family’s political influence.

    In Thailand, an official can be impeached even after leaving office. If impeached, Ms. Yingluck wouldn’t be able to run for office for five years.

    The impeachment effort zeroes in on Ms. Yingluck’s subsidy to rice farmers, which led to huge stockpiles and what the country’s finance ministry said amounted to $15.7 billion in paper losses. The country’s anticorruption panel pushed for her impeachment after finding that she was negligent in her handling of the subsidy, which offered prices at up to 50% above market rates. Ms. Yingluck, who has denied any wrongdoing, contends she was simply trying to increase income for farmers.

    Controversy surrounding the rice-subsidy plan was one of the drivers of monthslong protests by critics who sought her ouster. She was removed from office in May after a Thai court determined she had abused her power when she demoted a senior bureaucrat. The military seized power two weeks later, saying political instability was undermining the economy.

    The impeachment proceedings will begin on Jan. 9 and could take at least a month, according to Pornpetch Wichitcholchai, president of the National Legislative Assembly.

    Mr. Pornpetch said Ms. Yingluck and the anticorruption commission will present their arguments at the hearings.

    Ms. Yingluck’s brother, ex-Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra , remains influential in Thai politics; he was ousted in a 2006 military coup. His allies have been winning elections since then. “The impeachment motion is likely an attempt to make it more difficult for Thaksin and people close to him to run in the next poll,” said Yuttaporn Issarachai, a political scientist at Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University in Bangkok.

    Ms. Yingluck’s rice-subsidy problems don’t end with the impeachment proceedings. She could also face a related criminal prosecution if the anticorruption panel decides to take the case to court on its own or through the use of public prosecutors.

    can they purchase the votes needed this time around?

  20. #420
    Excommunicated baldrick's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by sabang
    Im not aware of international condemnation of either the Dem or PT schemes
    Pressed to name a single independent economist who thought Thailand’s rice plan would work, Dawe paused for a moment to think, then answered, “Not that I know of.” One of the more optimistic forecasts, from Sam Mohanty at the International Rice Research Institute (yes, it exists), predicted that Thailand could at best drive up prices for one growing season. Still, he advised against it. Could the policy-makers have been so fixated on votes that they missed the near unanimous warnings coming from market experts?
    and then there was the issue with the poor of the world who would find their 2 dollars a day would buy less rice

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