PM Abhisit Orders Probe Into Kickback On Thai Flood Aid

[webfact]

PM Orders Probe into Kickback on Flood Aid

The prime minister has ordered an inquiry into the reported unlawful collection of commissions from compensation being paid to flood victims.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjavjiva said he has already assigned the permanent secretaries from all ministries to launch an investigation into accusations that compensation, in the amount of 5,000 baht for each flooded household, is being siphoned off by 30 percent, which will go to kickbacks.

Abhisit stated any deduction is difficult, as the aid money is being paid through the Government Savings Bank.

Meanwhile, Director of the Center for Flood Crisis Response Center, Apirak Kosayodhin said the water level of the Chao Phraya River in Bangkok hit a peak of 1.98 meters today, which is still lower than the flood wall height of two meters.

He added the high tide expected to come over the next day or two will cause only a slight rise in water levels.

Apirak, however, cautioned that people living along the Chi and Mul rivers in the Northeast should remain cautious, as they could experience an overflow, since the water level of the two rivers is still increasing.

Regarding the situation in the South, Apirak said residents in the three provinces of Nakhon Si Thammarat, Surat Thani and Pattthalung must watch out for possible landslides, as they are still experiencing rain over 70 percent of the area.

Better news from Songkla's Hat Yai district, though, as the inundation there has already receded.

He said his flood crisis response center is coordinating with the Pollution Control Department to clean up debris brought on by the flooding.

The center also held a meeting this afternoon with related agencies about assistance measures for affected people, particularly rubber farmers.

Apirak said the requirements for rubber farmers to qualify for government assistance will be drafted by the Agriculture and Cooperatives Ministry and the Rubber Replanting Aid Fund.

Their draft requirements will be then be put forward for the Cabinet's approval.

In the meantime, the Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department reported that death toll from the floods, which began on October 10, is at 165. 122 of them were in the North, Northeast and Central regions.

The remaining 43 were in the South.

At today's Senate meeting, Nakhon Si Thammarat Senator Siriwat Kraisin urged the government to deliver speedy aide programs for disaster victims in the South, especially rubber farmers whose plantations were hit severely by recent monsoon storms.

Bangkok Senator Rossana Tositrakul voiced support for the prime minister's order to increase compensation for flood hit farmland from 606 baht a rai to 2,000 baht, but said he must make sure his policy is put into action and that it covers all affected farmers.

Meanwhile, Songkhla Senator Prasert Chidpong advised the government to help flood ravaged businesses through tax deductions, while urging financial institutions to curb interest rates and to extend the Rubber Replanting Aid Fund repayment period in addition to providing more aid money.

-- Tan Network 2010-11-09

[Thai at Heart]

And to think there was another thread running about Thais not understanding the common good.

If it is proven that people have clipped any compensation to those in need, it would nice to see if stocks can be put up in the villages and offenders made to face the wrath of the local villagers.

[jonclark]

And to think there was another thread running about Thais not understanding the common good.

If it is proven that people have clipped any compensation to those in need, it would nice to see if stocks can be put up in the villages and offenders made to face the wrath of the local villagers.

Couldn't agree more. The idea of stocks in the village would be fantastic

[Boater]

to be honest, is anyone surprised ?

[chainarong]

to be honest, is anyone surprised ?

No.

[bitterbatter]

Typical politicians.

They think they can solve anything just by throwing a little money at it. Just enough so the the victims can eat a little and get drunk enough that they stop complaining.

I believe in a different method where you actual use real resources to address the problem directly sending real people to help fix the problems and assist people in cleaning up.

[rreddin]

to be honest, is anyone surprised ?

Surprised? No. Disappointed? Yes. Ordering a probe is a futile gesture if there is no follow up action taken against the culprits. It is time for khun Abhisit to stop talking the talk and start walking the walk! Unless he does so, he might as well just walk.

[whybother]

to be honest, is anyone surprised ?

Surprised? No. Disappointed? Yes. Ordering a probe is a futile gesture if there is no follow up action taken against the culprits. It is time for khun Abhisit to stop talking the talk and start walking the walk! Unless he does so, he might as well just walk.

Agreed, Abhisit should get out there and do the investigation himself.

[KhunAussie52]

30% commission,is not that the going rate?:jap:

[visions]

to be honest, is anyone surprised ?

Surprised? No. Disappointed? Yes. Ordering a probe is a futile gesture if there is no follow up action taken against the culprits. It is time for khun Abhisit to stop talking the talk and start walking the walk! Unless he does so, he might as well just walk.

Agreed, Abhisit should get out there and do the investigation himself.

He wouldnt be able to uncover any evidence of kickbacks though his rose coloured glasses... and the ever increasing bulge in his hip pocket.

Words words only to make him look good. Needs someone with strength and action to put the culprits (if any) in the village stocks as a previous poster said. 6 months penned up may do the trick.

[whybother]

He wouldnt be able to uncover any evidence of kickbacks though his rose coloured glasses... and the ever increasing bulge in his hip pocket.

Words words only to make him look good. Needs someone with strength and action to put the culprits (if any) in the village stocks as a previous poster said. 6 months penned up may do the trick.

Maybe he should show his strength and order the police to kill any suspected culprits. It seemed to work for a previous PM.

[Pib]

Call the 30% possibly being siphoned off an administrative fee...charities do it, so why shouldn't govt officials.

[scorecard]

to be honest, is anyone surprised ?

Surprised? No. Disappointed? Yes. Ordering a probe is a futile gesture if there is no follow up action taken against the culprits. It is time for khun Abhisit to stop talking the talk and start walking the walk! Unless he does so, he might as well just walk.

Agreed, Abhisit should get out there and do the investigation himself.

He wouldnt be able to uncover any evidence of kickbacks though his rose coloured glasses... and the ever increasing bulge in his hip pocket.

Words words only to make him look good. Needs someone with strength and action to put the culprits (if any) in the village stocks as a previous poster said. 6 months penned up may do the trick.

...... ... and the ever increasing bulge in his hip pocket. ......

Well this is news, share some details please

[Thaddeus]

Call the 30% possibly being siphoned off an administrative fee...charities do it, so why shouldn't govt officials.

Charities do it because they have to, it funds their operating costs.

These 'officials' are already receiving a salary for doing this job.

[elshaheen]

When all hel_l breaks lose and people are dying, not able to feed their families, and thailand being a buddist nation. Good way to screw your fellow citizens. Thai hate Thai.

[Canada]

This is a corrupt society. Corruption occurs in many ways. Thais seem to be pretty ingenious about it. It is rather disgusting, some of the ways that corruption happens. Nonetheless corruption is corruption and there it plenty of it in Thailand.......to stay. So get used to it.

I would have to say that I think that by continuing to live here in this beautifully corrupted country, even though we could ALL easily return to our own "uncorrupt " societies, we not only turn a blind eye, but we in fact do accept it and support it. One only has to take a good look at what corruption is......and then find his place in it......

Only my opinion......

[salty]

It would be a huge surprise if there were not siphoning off of funds. These jackals have no sense of shame and see every misfortune as another oppurtunity to line their pockets at the expense of the poor suffering unfortunates.

Lets have an inquiry zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

[LuckyLew]

There should be an inquiry into all the inquiries

Are any of the inquiries actually uncovering anything

Abhisit ordering and inquiry is as frequent as the

other side launching law suits

Thailand is the hub of law suits and inquries

[cup-O-coffee]

...... ... and the ever increasing bulge in his hip pocket. ......

Well this is news, share some details please

Uhhh... he's dam_n glad to see ya?

[animatic]

And to think there was another thread running about Thais not understanding the common good.

If it is proven that people have clipped any compensation to those in need, it would nice to see if stocks can be put up in the villages and offenders made to face the wrath of the local villagers.

Couldn't agree more. The idea of stocks in the village would be fantastic

And a deliver of hard and prickly fruit just happens to arrive same day... To add to the old and smelly veggies and pla, the locals should be throwing their way.

Edited November 9, 2010 by animatic

[craigt3365]

And to think there was another thread running about Thais not understanding the common good.

If it is proven that people have clipped any compensation to those in need, it would nice to see if stocks can be put up in the villages and offenders made to face the wrath of the local villagers.

Problem is, many of the offenders are from the local villages. It's not just farangs that get ripped off by Thais...it's also Thais that get ripped off. Like my wife says, even a 3 year old knows how to bribe here.

[elshaheen]

Thai People will never learn let alone stab you in the back. Only Thai can change Thai from within, not outsiders. We as outsiders can only provide advice (at what cost). Not older Thai, but younger more educated Thai.

[craigt3365]

Thai People will never learn let alone stab you in the back. Only Thai can change Thai from within, not outsiders. We as outsiders can only provide advice (at what cost). Not older Thai, but younger more educated Thai.

Not sure I understand your post. Agree that it is a Thai problem, but for sure Thai's will stab you AND their fellow countrymen in the back. Happens all the time. And that's what the OP is all about. Thai's ripping off other Thai's. Unless I am misunderstanding your post???

[Thai at Heart]

There should be an inquiry into all the inquiries

Are any of the inquiries actually uncovering anything

Abhisit ordering and inquiry is as frequent as the

other side launching law suits

Thailand is the hub of law suits and inquries

At least he didn't ponder, consider or (The Nation's favourite word) mull it over. He just ordered.

Such speedy action is a rare thing in Thailand.

By the time investigations have been considered, pondered and mulled in this country, normally, those doing all the thinking about what to do, have forgotten what they were thinking about. What is for dinner anyway.......

[Pib]

Call the 30% possibly being siphoned off an administrative fee...charities do it, so why shouldn't govt officials.

Charities do it because they have to, it funds their operating costs.

These 'officials' are already receiving a salary for doing this job.

Yep, agree except some charties apparently have high operating costs. Regardless, my post was meant to be sarcastic.

[GeorgeO]

to be honest, is anyone surprised ?

Surprised? No. Disappointed? Yes. Ordering a probe is a futile gesture if there is no follow up action taken against the culprits. It is time for khun Abhisit to stop talking the talk and start walking the walk! Unless he does so, he might as well just walk.

Agreed, Abhisit should get out there and do the investigation himself.

He wouldnt be able to uncover any evidence of kickbacks though his rose coloured glasses... and the ever increasing bulge in his hip pocket.

Words words only to make him look good. Needs someone with strength and action to put the culprits (if any) in the village stocks as a previous poster said. 6 months penned up may do the trick.

Oh my goodness, it never ceases to amaze me how so many of the apparently uneducated trolls on this forum belive that their comments are worthwhile. Do you honestly believe for a single second that Abhisit is in this for the money? ... the ever increasing bulge in his hip pocket..???

For Christ's sake, he is the only one in this godforsaken country who actually has the good of the country at heart!

Save your nonsensical comments for the real culprits, Khun T, the abhorent Jakaporn, and the rest of them.

I only hope that when commonsense eventually takes hold in this country, if it ever does, PM Abhisit is still around to provide the necessary guidance!

[webfact]

FLOOD RELIEF

Govt rejects claim against ministers

By Samascha Hunsara,

Piyannuch Thamnukasetchai

The Nation

The opposition Pheu Thai Party called yesterday for an investigation into claims that certain Cabinet ministers allegedly benefited handsomely from flood relief.

Speaking at a parliament session, Lamphun MP Sa-nguan Phongmanee claimed some ministers were enjoying 30-per-cent of relief funds for approval of purchases of equipment and hardware used for post-flooding repairs.

Sa-nguan proposed that ad-hoc parliamentary committees be set up immediately to inspect current spending of flood relief funds and purchases of equipment to detect corruption, as regular auditing processed by anti-graft agencies was lengthy and often “too late”.

Fellow Pheu Thai Party MP Wicharn Meenchai-anant also criticised the government for sourcing relief funds from a special ThaiKhemKhaeng budget rather than the central budget, because the special funds were easier to access than the regular budget.

He said the central budget allocation procedure was too slow for immediate distribution to flood victims who tended to rely mainly on donations from the private and public sector.

PM’s Office Minister Sathit Wongnongtoey, responding to the Pheu Thai MPs’ charges, said there had been intensive checks on the distribution of relief funds" as ordered by the prime minister.

To cope with extra flood damage, Bt50 million in basic relief funds earmarked for each flood-affected province had been doubled and could be increased to Bt500 million through quick “special” approval, he said.

-- The Nation 2010-11-10

[whybother]

MP Sa-nguan Phongmanee claimed ...

Does he have any suggestion of evidence, or is it good enough to be just be able to "claim" it to get an investigation into it?

[Phuket Stan]

MP Sa-nguan Phongmanee claimed ...

Does he have any suggestion of evidence, or is it good enough to be just be able to "claim" it to get an investigation into it?

Parlimentary Privelige...it occurs in most countries that have the Westminster style of government...

I note the PTP and the redshirts have been extremely busy doing great deeds for those affected by the floods etc...read "not"

[scorecard]

MP Sa-nguan Phongmanee claimed ...

Does he have any suggestion of evidence, or is it good enough to be just be able to "claim" it to get an investigation into it?

He's following the jatuporn model, lies, untruths, more lies and more unruths. Long-term it won't do much for their credibility.