Thai anti-graft panel to probe PM Yingluck

BANGKOK, January 16, 2014 (AFP) - Thailand's anti-corruption authorities launched an investigation against Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra Thursday in a new setback to her government following weeks of mass opposition protests.

The National Anti-Corruption Commission said the inquiry would probe possible negligence of duty by Yingluck in connection with a controversial subsidy scheme for rice farmers.

The panel will charge 15 other people, including a former commerce minister, with corruption linked to the rice programme, commission spokesman Vicha Mahakun told a news conference.

The scheme has been strongly criticised by Yingluck's opponents, who have occupied major intersections in the capital since Monday as part of their efforts to force her elected government from office and install an appointed "people's council" in its place.

The protesters aim to rein in the political dominance of Yingluck's billionaire brother, fugitive former premier Thaksin Shinawatra, whom they accuse of controlling the government from self-exile.

Critics say the rice programme was designed to shore up Yingluck's popularity in her party's northern heartlands, but has left the country with a mountain of unsold rice.

Yingluck has called an election for February 2 in an effort to defuse the crisis but the main opposition Democrat Party is boycotting the polls, which they fear will only return the Shinawatra family to power.

Police said Thursday the demonstrators' self-styled "shutdown" of Bangkok appeared to be losing momentum with a dwindling number of protesters on the streets.

The rallies are the latest twist of a political crisis that has gripped Thailand since Yingluck's brother

Thaksin was ousted in a military coup seven years ago.

They were triggered by a failed amnesty bill that could have allowed Thaksin to return without going to jail for a past corruption conviction.

The billionaire tycoon-turned-politician has strong electoral support in northern Thailand, but he is reviled by many southerners, Bangkok's middle class and members of the royalist establishment.

Yingluck is facing several legal moves which experts say could potentially bring down her government.

Dozens of her MPs face possible impeachment by the National Anti-Corruption Commission in connection with a bid to make the upper house fully elected.

If found guilty they could be banned from politics for five years, undermining Yingluck's chances of forming a new government after the February polls.

-- (c) Copyright AFP 2014-01-16

I don't know whether to say Na Song San or Som Num Na.

Hmmmm.... I think I'll go with the latter.

Well Thaksin supporters,what about them apples.

a gift from Mr. T government. Now she can be left alone to so called fight the charges. Of course at the end she will be cleared

Good.

Thai anti-graft panel to probe PM Yingluck

Get in line.

Thai anti-graft panel to probe PM Yingluck

Get in line.

After the failure of the rest of the gang of Coup Plotters, these have probably been held back for extra briefing and to make sure the guilty verdict is fast and delivered with a straight face.

Nobody outside their circle is taking this seriously. It will be covered in the catch all Elite backers and supportes. we hardly even notice now and nobody follows it as we know what they will find.

Good luck to them. IF there is ever true reform here, it will not come from Suthep and the Courts will be first on anybodys reforming list. But, enjoy it whilst you can. its not 1960 anymore and your time has come.

It just keep getting better for PTP ...

today was a double dose ...

EC a BIG NO to more funds for the rice scam

Now the anti-corruption are set to probe the PTP leader ..

Evey day there seem to be more issue being piled on ...

When will she say ... screw it and quit? I guess as soon as Thaksin lets her

What has reforming the senate to make it more democratic got to do with the anti-corruption commission? The institutions set up by the military in 2006 are planning another judicial coup to make Thailand ungovernable by anyone except their boys.

I'm not sure which spaghetti western this will be more like; The Good, the Bad and The Ugly or Hang 'Em High

"...a new setback to her government following weeks of mass opposition protests"....This is not a setback...This is expected.....Its' called a 'judicial coup"...It has been clear that the Elites have decided to go the Judicial route to achieve their coup-intentions....Enabling their coup using the military wasn't going to fly internationally, and working via judicial vehicles creates smoke Internationally, when outside Thailand the judiciary is considered normal.....The PTP/UDD/RS are also expecting this and see the theft of their electoral choices by these so-called Independent bodies in the same light as if there was a flaming military intervention....Their reactions will be the same......As an aside, I am hearing that the military is being used primarily as a check on the police, preventing them from managing and controlling the coup-mongers....I understand the coup-mongers are even charging fees to pass their locations, essentially creating 'toll roads'.

You could not make it up! Expect someone will take the rap and the big ones will get away with it as usual! Being PM is not as easy as you might think you know.

What has reforming the senate to make it more democratic got to do with the anti-corruption commission? The institutions set up by the military in 2006 are planning another judicial coup to make Thailand ungovernable by anyone except their boys.

The thai constitution,section 113 parts 1 and 2 says thou shall not try and change the Senate.More democratic, its never been democratic.

Special Report: Govt opts to use state enterprises' fund to pay back rice farmers

BANGKOK: -- The government is set to borrow money from state enterprises to fund payments to unpaid farmers under the rice-pledging scheme after its bid to use the Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives (BAAC)'s liquidity was unsuccessful.

Deputy Finance Minister Tanusak Lek-uthai, in his capacity as chairman of the BAAC board, earlier held urgent meetings to persuade the bank to advance payments to farmers but later announced that the government opted to use 40 billion baht from state enterprises to fund scheme.

According to Mr Tanusak, the BAAC has over 110 billion baht in liquidity and is in the position to help the government pay rice growers before the scheme runs out of money.

The Commerce Ministry’s rice sales have missed the target of 12 billion baht per million tons per month. Farmers already pledged 9.97 million tonnes of paddy worth almost 100 billion baht during the start of the 2013-14 main crop season from October 1 to January 7.

The BAAC has so far paid 50 billion baht to farmers who pledged 3.5 million tonnes of paddy.

Mr Tanusak added that the bank would pay all unpaid farmers by the end of January, which was later than the original date of January 15. The cabinet had previously agreed that the BAAC would pay farmers the 70 billion baht owed them by January 15. The promise came after hundreds of farmers had set up road blockades near Phichit province to protest against long-delayed payments under the rice-pledging scheme.

The deputy Finance Minister said that at the end of the year, the scheme’s budget is expected to balloon to 190 billion baht, a significant increase from the 160 billion baht estimated.

In addition to the mounting losses, the rice-pledging scheme is also under investigation by the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC). The NACC’s sub-committee announced on January 16 that the agency would launch a probe against caretaker Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra over her alleged mishandling of the pledging scheme. The premier chaired the National Rice Policy Committee overseeing the rice scheme.

-- NNT 2014-01-16

"...a new setback to her government following weeks of mass opposition protests"....This is not a setback...This is expected.....Its' called a 'judicial coup"...It has been clear that the Elites have decided to go the Judicial route to achieve their coup-intentions....Enabling their coup using the military wasn't going to fly internationally, and working via judicial vehicles creates smoke Internationally, when outside Thailand the judiciary is considered normal.....The PTP/UDD/RS are also expecting this and see the theft of their electoral choices by these so-called Independent bodies in the same light as if there was a flaming military intervention....Their reactions will be the same......As an aside, I am hearing that the military is being used primarily as a check on the police, preventing them from managing and controlling the coup-mongers....I understand the coup-mongers are even charging fees to pass their locations, essentially creating 'toll roads'.

A consignment of geriatric shoemakers.

What has reforming the senate to make it more democratic got to do with the anti-corruption commission? The institutions set up by the military in 2006 are planning another judicial coup to make Thailand ungovernable by anyone except their boys.

Cheating in the house.

Its not clicket.

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

The rice farmers are guaranteed to have their money prior to Feb 2. Now let here it from the vote buying gang of Yellow Skirts. Timing is everything in politics.

"...a new setback to her government following weeks of mass opposition protests"....This is not a setback...This is expected.....Its' called a 'judicial coup"...It has been clear that the Elites have decided to go the Judicial route to achieve their coup-intentions....Enabling their coup using the military wasn't going to fly internationally, and working via judicial vehicles creates smoke Internationally, when outside Thailand the judiciary is considered normal.....The PTP/UDD/RS are also expecting this and see the theft of their electoral choices by these so-called Independent bodies in the same light as if there was a flaming military intervention....Their reactions will be the same......As an aside, I am hearing that the military is being used primarily as a check on the police, preventing them from managing and controlling the coup-mongers....I understand the coup-mongers are even charging fees to pass their locations, essentially creating 'toll roads'.

So, who's responsible for the loss of tens of billions of bucks if not the government?

Who in the government should take the punishment? Every single cabinet member involved. All the way up the line.

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

Thai anti-graft panel to probe PM Yingluck

Get in line.

After the failure of the rest of the gang of Coup Plotters, these have probably been held back for extra briefing and to make sure the guilty verdict is fast and delivered with a straight face.

Nobody outside their circle is taking this seriously. It will be covered in the catch all Elite backers and supportes. we hardly even notice now and nobody follows it as we know what they will find.

Good luck to them. IF there is ever true reform here, it will not come from Suthep and the Courts will be first on anybodys reforming list. But, enjoy it whilst you can. its not 1960 anymore and your time has come.

You, my friend, need new glasses !

i hope pressure keeps mounting to get rid of Taksins regime but for sure he will fight with all he can to end including if he can trying again to cause a civil war

Well done Suphet without your stand Thailand would probably never have a chance to rid itself of this evil lot

Im just praying at long last Thailand can be rid of Taksin his clan and cronies but Just Taksin will be enough since then rest will scull away to rocks they belong in

Govt opts to use state enterprises' fund to pay back rice farmers

Whatever than means.... But probably against EC rules anyway.

What has reforming the senate to make it more democratic got to do with the anti-corruption commission? The institutions set up by the military in 2006 are planning another judicial coup to make Thailand ungovernable by anyone except their boys.

By democratic law the senate is without party influence, maybe you should read a bit more

a gift from Mr. T government. Now she can be left alone to so called fight the charges. Of course at the end she will be cleared

why because she knows nothing about it since she knows nothing and has done nothing but smile and go shopping. Sorry she put herself up for PM so she should take blame for total corrupt whole scheme

If she goes as she should shell probably escape justice even though she should not and should be locked away for good for harm she's done even as her brothers clone or proxy

"...a new setback to her government following weeks of mass opposition protests"....This is not a setback...This is expected.....Its' called a 'judicial coup"...It has been clear that the Elites have decided to go the Judicial route to achieve their coup-intentions....Enabling their coup using the military wasn't going to fly internationally, and working via judicial vehicles creates smoke Internationally, when outside Thailand the judiciary is considered normal.....The PTP/UDD/RS are also expecting this and see the theft of their electoral choices by these so-called Independent bodies in the same light as if there was a flaming military intervention....Their reactions will be the same......As an aside, I am hearing that the military is being used primarily as a check on the police, preventing them from managing and controlling the coup-mongers....I understand the coup-mongers are even charging fees to pass their locations, essentially creating 'toll roads'.

Close your eyes for corruption and keep on dreaming. Friese sukkel.

Of course, NACC has the duty to investigate after a complaint is received. What the people are watching now is the process and how a complaint is investigated. Beside the accused, there is also the complainers who also need to be investigated - the background and intention of the complaint. Will the same injustice again be the curse of the country when judges were intimidated by political situations that ruled against PPP. Will the curse lead to far worse situation than 2009/2010? Judicial corruption and unaccountability make the society feel hapless. This is dangerous under the present situation. Beside civil war, it can also threaten the entire system of government. However, I am looking at the whole situation under positive mode. Whatever will be, will be and have to be.

Thailand may need a big cleansing through blood and fire. If it is necessary, let it be so.

Send from my Mobile

this is getting so boring, seems like many of the protesters feel the same way, they all taking their balls and bats and going home

The rice farmers are guaranteed to have their money prior to Feb 2. Now let here it from the vote buying gang of Yellow Skirts. Timing is everything in politics.

you poor deluded fool do you still think theirs goigm to be an election on 2 nd and even if their is (now 80%+ will not) then so what they can't form a government due to 95% rule

must be hard seeing your heroes corruption and evil ways being brought to light to even most blind red glassed people here

IF as hoped Taksin at last goes I will personally have a great big party and toast all tossers like you for at least giving me a laugh

"...a new setback to her government following weeks of mass opposition protests"....This is not a setback...This is expected.....Its' called a 'judicial coup"...It has been clear that the Elites have decided to go the Judicial route to achieve their coup-intentions....Enabling their coup using the military wasn't going to fly internationally, and working via judicial vehicles creates smoke Internationally, when outside Thailand the judiciary is considered normal.....The PTP/UDD/RS are also expecting this and see the theft of their electoral choices by these so-called Independent bodies in the same light as if there was a flaming military intervention....Their reactions will be the same......As an aside, I am hearing that the military is being used primarily as a check on the police, preventing them from managing and controlling the coup-mongers....I understand the coup-mongers are even charging fees to pass their locations, essentially creating 'toll roads'.

Really? A Judicial Coup?

So Yingluck sits back whilst her government fritters away $20 billion dollars whist at the same time her brothers wealth jumps by $1.1billion dollars.

No-one know where the money went, no-one knows how much rice is in storage, no-one knows what price some of the rice has been sold at.

And you don't think it even merits an investigation?

Thai anti-graft panel to probe PM Yingluck

Get in line.

After the failure of the rest of the gang of Coup Plotters, these have probably been held back for extra briefing and to make sure the guilty verdict is fast and delivered with a straight face.

Nobody outside their circle is taking this seriously. It will be covered in the catch all Elite backers and supportes. we hardly even notice now and nobody follows it as we know what they will find.

Good luck to them. IF there is ever true reform here, it will not come from Suthep and the Courts will be first on anybodys reforming list. But, enjoy it whilst you can. its not 1960 anymore and your time has come.

With 400 billion lost of 660 billion expenditure and that over just two years of rice price pledging AND with PM Yingluck chairing the National Rice Policy Committee it should be no surprise some feel that her involvement should be investigated. Ms. Yingluck has been very vocal about 'minimal losses', 'no corruption' and her golf caddy advisor said 1-1/2 year ago the scheme was wonderful for Thailand and should be continued for a few more years. Imagine.

Now if this calls for a reform of courts you seem to be against transparancy, accountability, and for corruption by the government and it's cronies.