Commerce Ministry Has Been Urged To Investigate Rice Corruption Case

The Commerce Ministry has been urged to investigate rice corruption case.

Deputy Spokesperson of the Democrat Party Yuttapong Jarassathien (ยุทธพงศ์ จรัสเสถียร) submitted a letter to Commerce Minister Somkid Jatusripitak (สมคิด จาตุศรีพิทักษ์), calling for an investigation into the corruption case involving the government’s rice buying pledge.

Mr. Yuttapong revealed that he would like the Commerce Ministry to launch a special investigation into the corruption case involving deputy Commerce Minister Preecha Laohapongchana (ปรีชา เลาหพงศ์ชนะ), who acts as the president of the subcommittee on rice buying. He said that Mr. Preecha allegedly allowed some mills in the Public Warehouse Office’s blacklist to apply for partnership in the 2005-2006 rice buying project. He said that those mills are blacklisted due to involvement in rice contamination case.

Mr. Yuttapong said that the contract in the rice buying project specifies clearly that the applicants must not face legal charges or be blacklisted. He also wants the commerce ministry to pursue legal action against 57 warehouses which contaminated the jasmine rice.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 23 March 2006