House Panel Inspects Rice Mills, Checks For Graft: Thailand

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RICE

House panel inspects rice mills, checks for graft

Attaphoom Ongkulna

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Regardless of when the no-confidence debate will be held, the Opposition is set to launch a stinging attack against the Yingluck government over alleged corruption in implementation of its rice-pledging scheme.

The Democrat Party has already put the spotlight on loopholes in the scheme calling for public feedback and launching House inquiries. They have fired questions at economic ministers over implementation of the scheme, which has cost Bt4 trillion in taxpayers' money and risks losing Bt1.5 trillion per year - but has failed to shore up prices in the world market, or help all Thai farmers.

The Opposition says the government has caused an oversupply of rice from its "utter failure" in stock management and opening up loopholes that allow capitalists to seek vested interest in the scheme.

Implementation procedures in the scheme have been lax, they have said, leading to a grand scale of corruption through methodical exploitation of farmers' rights by capitalists. The Opposition suspects quantities of rice bought under the pledging scheme may be imported from neighbouring countries by businesspeople.

In the latest development, members of the House committee on Economic Development - including Bangkok Democrat MP Chanin Rungsaeng, the committee chairman, Phitsanulok MP Dr Warong Dejjkijwikrom, Democrat MP Apirak Kosayodhin, the shadow Commerce Minister - led an inspection team last Friday to probe irregularities in the rice pledging scheme in Ayutthaya.

They looked into three procedures before rice is delivered to consumers: from farmers to rice mills; from mills to central warehouses; and from warehouses to auctions.

There are 26 rice-pledging centres in Ayutthaya in which a total of 627,678 tonnes was pledged from March 1 to August 6. The Opposition has to check if there have been irregularities from when rice from the fields arrives at the mills. First, they have to check if the people who bring rice to pledge are actually farmers or not. Random checks have also been carried out to see if pledging documents have been countersigned by farmers, representatives, rice millers, Public Warehouse Organisation (PWO) officials. Details such as car licence plates, dates and times that were recorded were checked to see if they matched CCTV cameras.

The PWO regulations require rice millers under the scheme to have CCTV cameras installed to cross-check information with that recorded on rice pledging documents.

"PWO regulations state that rice millers under the scheme must have CCTV cameras recording rice-pledging procedures from start to finish," Warong said. "To easily check irregularities, we can just look at footage recorded to see if it is in accordance with information written in pledging documents.

"Details about trucks that transport rice to rice millers must be recorded, such as licence plates and what time they come.

"If rice millers do not have correct information, they are suspicious. We do not need to inquire any further from farmers because farmers and capitalists may collude and prepare themselves for questioning."

Three rice mills were found to have technical problems with their CCTV cameras: Thepmongkol Rice Mill in Bang Sai, Kaset Rungruang Rice Mill in Lat Bualuang, Liang Huak Rice Mill in Lat BuaLuang. Cameras at the first two rice mills did not have enough memory to check three days back. Other cameras allegedly had computer malfunctions.

Somsak Ekpinijpittaya, CEO of Thepmongkol Rice Mill - the first mill checked by the committee said the fact his mill had technical problems did not mean there was corruption. "Regulations on installing closed circuit cameras are imposed to control rice-pledging procedures in the beginning of the programme. To record the scheme from start to finish, we need to pour in money to have a camera with a larger memory. [but] it's more reasonable to check on farmers - how much rice they grow and how much rice is pledged,'' he said.

A black CCTV camera screen is an issue the committee has learnt about from its investigations in Ayuthaya. Tomorrow, they are due to conduct more checks in mills in Saraburi.

-- The Nation 2012-08-13

[dcutman]

They may be the opposition but they are never opposed to receiving a lot of extra pocket money. I am sure their inspection will find most mills are on the up and up. Ev en though there will be many mills with irregularities. Such as the bad cctv cameras, the soi dog ate last months records and the rice scale was hit by lightning. why it not showing accurate moisture levels.

[zakk9]

This is what it boils down to: Probably one of the most disastrous actions towards Thai economy ever, and now they're running around counting rice grains to see if anyone has pocketed an extra million or two.

[Soupdragon]

1,500,000,000,000. That is a lot of zeros and I think is the highest figure quoted to date as projected 'losses' for the scheme ?

What is that as a percentage of GDP ? 15% ?

If I had a mind to I could equip a small army with that sort of money.

[sjjmmi]

1,500,000,000,000. That is a lot of zeros and I think is the highest figure quoted to date as projected 'losses' for the scheme ?

What is that as a percentage of GDP ? 15% ?

If I had a mind to I could equip a small army with that sort of money.

Should be 1,500,000,000,000 grains of rice

[Pib]

Everything I read about the rice pledging scheme just screams so many different ways to game the scheme and for many people to skim money, cheat the system, etc. And what are some of the results: 1) a populist/vote-buying program burning through taxpayer dollars, 2) higher rice prices for the Thai consumer and higher rice export prices, 3) Thailand losing its standing as the #1 rice exporter due to higher rice prices.

[OzMick]

Cue to 473GEO to tell us "It's alright Jack, I got mine!"

[fareastguy]

Not enough memory on the computer, malfunctions, inadequate data, the person recording the licence plates didn't have a pencil, when he got a pencil he ran out of paper..

But hey lets just ask the farmer what he grew & how much he pledged because that's just so much more transparent!!

When oh when is Thailand going to hang these corrupt officials high on a pole for all to see & to start to do something about the blatant corruption.

All rice mills that did not comply with the rules & regulations set out for the monitoring of the pledge scheme should have the CEO marched into court, prosecuted to the highest level of the law & sell all his assets to to refund the country of lost revenue!!

Maybe just maybe then officials will think twice before stealing from their own countrymen..

[slapout]

This committee assigned to investigate possible corruption is probably as knowledgable/experienced ablout the farm rice to consumer gravy train as are many of the others individuals assigned the problems being encountered, rumored, reported.

Not knowing any of these people nor their background in the ag sector, I think a better place to start (other than middlemen) is to follow the trail from paddy to the warehouse where the rice is stored. few questions for the farmer, come to mind, number of rai you farm, is this chonate or rented land, number of rai planted/harvested producing rice, number of crops, yield/rai, price per ton received, grade/mositure of rice sold, amount held for personel consumption, etc Then just for grins, ask who financed their crops, who supplied consumablies for crop, who purchased crop, etc

You have to send a fox into the maze to find out what is going on, the rabbit is spending his time, trying to survive.

[jerrysteve]

Over supply means there is large imbalance in supply and demand.

In this case supply exceeds demand and price have to fall in order to bring demand back into

the equation.

What they have done is driven up the price of Rice in their very own market.

No savvy buyer of any commodity including rice is going to buy at a higher price than what the market

dictates.

The market will force them to be competitive and if they are not, the market will force them.

So in a way, they have sawed off part of the branch they are standing on.

Who gets hurt? The public..Always

1,500,000,000,000 Just think what that could do to bring first class education to all children who need

the most and where its needed the most.

[siampolee]

1,500,000,000,000. That is a lot of zeros and I think is the highest figure quoted to date as projected 'losses' for the scheme ?

What is that as a percentage of GDP ? 15% ?

If I had a mind to I could equip a small army with that sort of money.

Perhaps someone with an agenda who is absent from the country and those affiliates of that person may well be eying the money to fund an army.

Or perhaps some of the money might be or is currently being used to settle outsanding accounts.

''Many a true word spoken jest.''.

Edited August 13, 2012 by siampolee

[hellodolly]

Come on people lets be fair here.

If they can't manufacture graft what can they Manufacture?

[FOODLOVER]

Somsak Ekpinijpittaya, CEO of Thepmongkol Rice Mill - the first mill checked by the committee said the fact his mill had technical problems did not mean there was corruption. "Regulations on installing closed circuit cameras are imposed to control rice-pledging procedures in the beginning of the programme. To record the scheme from start to finish, we need to pour in money to have a camera with a larger memory. [but] it's more reasonable to check on farmers - how much rice they grow and how much rice is pledged,'' he said.

This mill should be removed from the program as the CEO's brains have apparently fallen out.

[kimamey]

Somsak Ekpinijpittaya, CEO of Thepmongkol Rice Mill - the first mill checked by the committee said the fact his mill had technical problems did not mean there was corruption. "Regulations on installing closed circuit cameras are imposed to control rice-pledging procedures in the beginning of the programme. To record the scheme from start to finish, we need to pour in money to have a camera with a larger memory. [but] it's more reasonable to check on farmers - how much rice they grow and how much rice is pledged,'' he said.

This mill should be removed from the program as the CEO's brains have apparently fallen out.

I'm no expert on CCTV but surely it's the recording equipment not the camera that needs the memory which I'm sure isn't that expensive.

I assume the mills pay for the CCTV but since there is so much taxpayers money being spent on this maybe the government should pay for the equipment then there would be no excuse.

Technical problems with CCTV doesn't mean there is corruption but if there is corruption then technical problems are a way to cover it up. It's reasonable therefore if there are technical problems with the equipment to check for corruption that none has been taking place.

[waza]

Somsak Ekpinijpittaya, CEO of Thepmongkol Rice Mill - the first mill checked by the committee said the fact his mill had technical problems did not mean there was corruption. "Regulations on installing closed circuit cameras are imposed to control rice-pledging procedures in the beginning of the programme. To record the scheme from start to finish, we need to pour in money to have a camera with a larger memory. [but] it's more reasonable to check on farmers - how much rice they grow and how much rice is pledged,'' he said.

This mill should be removed from the program as the CEO's brains have apparently fallen out.

I'm no expert on CCTV but surely it's the recording equipment not the camera that needs the memory which I'm sure isn't that expensive.

I assume the mills pay for the CCTV but since there is so much taxpayers money being spent on this maybe the government should pay for the equipment then there would be no excuse.

Technical problems with CCTV doesn't mean there is corruption but if there is corruption then technical problems are a way to cover it up. It's reasonable therefore if there are technical problems with the equipment to check for corruption that none has been taking place.

Thailand is the hub of world HDD production, and the mills CCTV runs out of memory! Amazing Thailand.

[Crazy chef 1]

.... With that much money we wouldn't need those crappy tablet comps anymore,we could hire real teachers,with real education,who are willing to TEACH,we could build schools(real ones), we could our child's prepare for the future,we could...STOP,bec who would still electing us if they find out the truth????

[OzMick]

In my prior occupation in my country, if equipment required by law is faulty or missing and you continue to operate, large fines are payable and even gaol time for repeated offences. That system works well - Thailand should try it.

[Thai at Heart]

Somsak Ekpinijpittaya, CEO of Thepmongkol Rice Mill - the first mill checked by the committee said the fact his mill had technical problems did not mean there was corruption. "Regulations on installing closed circuit cameras are imposed to control rice-pledging procedures in the beginning of the programme. To record the scheme from start to finish, we need to pour in money to have a camera with a larger memory. [but] it's more reasonable to check on farmers - how much rice they grow and how much rice is pledged,'' he said.

This mill should be removed from the program as the CEO's brains have apparently fallen out.

Dumb question, but what exactly does cctv have to do with working out how many million kilograms of rice has been bought and sold.

Start with the scales would be a starting point. so you have a video of a sack if rice in a massive pile.

"How many sacks in the pile?"

20k.

is that 20k or 22k?

How many kilos per sack?

50 or 48?

And what is the moisture?

What the hell can a.video camera help with any of this??????

[FOODLOVER]

Somsak Ekpinijpittaya, CEO of Thepmongkol Rice Mill - the first mill checked by the committee said the fact his mill had technical problems did not mean there was corruption. "Regulations on installing closed circuit cameras are imposed to control rice-pledging procedures in the beginning of the programme. To record the scheme from start to finish, we need to pour in money to have a camera with a larger memory. [but] it's more reasonable to check on farmers - how much rice they grow and how much rice is pledged,'' he said.

This mill should be removed from the program as the CEO's brains have apparently fallen out.

Dumb question, but what exactly does cctv have to do with working out how many million kilograms of rice has been bought and sold.

Start with the scales would be a starting point. so you have a video of a sack if rice in a massive pile.

"How many sacks in the pile?"

20k.

is that 20k or 22k?

How many kilos per sack?

50 or 48?

And what is the moisture?

What the hell can a.video camera help with any of this??????

The CCTV system can video the scales and the system that give a moisture rating simply by positioning the cameras. A full system with weeks capacity of memory and with 8 cameras cost less than a thousand bucks so this mans claim is laughable. What type of CEO puts in a system that is not in compliance with government regulations and does not have required memory? I know.

[atyclb]

If only "Corruption" were an olympic sport, they'd bring home the Gold.

[Thai at Heart]

Somsak Ekpinijpittaya, CEO of Thepmongkol Rice Mill - the first mill checked by the committee said the fact his mill had technical problems did not mean there was corruption. "Regulations on installing closed circuit cameras are imposed to control rice-pledging procedures in the beginning of the programme. To record the scheme from start to finish, we need to pour in money to have a camera with a larger memory. [but] it's more reasonable to check on farmers - how much rice they grow and how much rice is pledged,'' he said.

This mill should be removed from the program as the CEO's brains have apparently fallen out.

Dumb question, but what exactly does cctv have to do with working out how many million kilograms of rice has been bought and sold.

Start with the scales would be a starting point. so you have a video of a sack if rice in a massive pile.

"How many sacks in the pile?"

20k.

is that 20k or 22k?

How many kilos per sack?

50 or 48?

And what is the moisture?

What the hell can a.video camera help with any of this??????

The CCTV system can video the scales and the system that give a moisture rating simply by positioning the cameras. A full system with weeks capacity of memory and with 8 cameras cost less than a thousand bucks so this mans claim is laughable. What type of CEO puts in a system that is not in compliance with government regulations and does not have required memory? I know.

What good is it if the buyer has his foot under the scale and he spits in the moisture test?

These tests particularly since they z are under the auspices of a government purchase should be subject to random frequent audit, not once the stuff is piled up in the millions of tons.

ever seen a pile of something 10,000 tons high, you could never calculate exactly what's in it unless you do it piece by piece whilst it us being stored. They don't even barcode each sack, so what it where no one knows.

[FOODLOVER]

Somsak Ekpinijpittaya, CEO of Thepmongkol Rice Mill - the first mill checked by the committee said the fact his mill had technical problems did not mean there was corruption. "Regulations on installing closed circuit cameras are imposed to control rice-pledging procedures in the beginning of the programme. To record the scheme from start to finish, we need to pour in money to have a camera with a larger memory. [but] it's more reasonable to check on farmers - how much rice they grow and how much rice is pledged,'' he said.

This mill should be removed from the program as the CEO's brains have apparently fallen out.

Dumb question, but what exactly does cctv have to do with working out how many million kilograms of rice has been bought and sold.

Start with the scales would be a starting point. so you have a video of a sack if rice in a massive pile.

"How many sacks in the pile?"

20k.

is that 20k or 22k?

How many kilos per sack?

50 or 48?

And what is the moisture?

What the hell can a.video camera help with any of this??????

The CCTV system can video the scales and the system that give a moisture rating simply by positioning the cameras. A full system with weeks capacity of memory and with 8 cameras cost less than a thousand bucks so this mans claim is laughable. What type of CEO puts in a system that is not in compliance with government regulations and does not have required memory? I know.

What good is it if the buyer has his foot under the scale and he spits in the moisture test?

These tests particularly since they z are under the auspices of a government purchase should be subject to random frequent audit, not once the stuff is piled up in the millions of tons.

ever seen a pile of something 10,000 tons high, you could never calculate exactly what's in it unless you do it piece by piece whilst it us being stored. They don't even barcode each sack, so what it where no one knows.

The camera can see him spit while his foot is on the scale.