EC rejects govt request for loans to pay farmers
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, Jan 22 – The Election Commission (EC) has turned down the government’s request to seek additional loans to subsidise the controversial rice pledging scheme, saying it lacks the authority to do so.

The unanimous decision was made by the five-member EC after caretaker Deputy Prime Minister/Finance Minister Kittiratt Na-Ranong was invited to explain the proposed borrowing.

Puchong Nutrawong, EC secretary general, said the Constitution does not authorise the caretaker Cabinet to approve a project which will become an obligation for the next government.

“It’s the government’s call. The caretaker government must be accountable for its decision, both legally and politically, if it’s found in the future to have violated the Constitution,” said Mr Puchong.

Somchai Srisuthiyakorn, EC member for election administration, said the EC could not agree with the government’s proposed loans to pay farmers under the rice subsidy programme since the borrowing will pose a financial burden to the next government.

“The EC is not empowered to decide on the government’s behalf. It’s up to the government whether it wants to go ahead with securing the loans. Mr Kittiratt made it clear to the EC that the loan payment could not be finished during the tenure of the caretaker government,” he said. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2014-01-22

The upside of this fiasco is there'll be no shortage of rice for domestic consumption.

If the EC lacks the authority to issue the loans to the farmers, who is authorized to do so, now with out risk of sounding stupid, how come this has just been realized , the EC should have advised the caretaker government of this when they first asked, so the question is , who has the authority, would someone put their hand up, clear the accounts and let the PTP pay the farmers what they are entitled to , so who is going to make the call. Christ what a dumb mob of idiots.

Looks like the EC wants the farmer not to get paid at all which is purely politically motivated. Even when the new government is appointed they still have to pay the farmers.

"Mr Kittiratt made it clear to the EC that the loan payment could not be finished during the tenure of the caretaker government”

Thaksinist governments don't repay loans, they shuffle debts. Repaying loans would reduce the opportunities for "opportunistic redistribution".

If the EC lacks the authority to issue the loans to the farmers, who is authorized to do so, now with out risk of sounding stupid, how come this has just been realized , the EC should have advised the caretaker government of this when they first asked, so the question is , who has the authority, would someone put their hand up, clear the accounts and let the PTP pay the farmers what they are entitled to , so who is going to make the call. Christ what a dumb mob of idiots.

At the moment legally NO ONE, has the authority to get loans to pay the rice farmers.

This was a last ditch attempt by the Finance minister to pressure the EC. It didn't work,

and of course the spin will be blame the EC they are working for Suthep, yada yada yada.

They are now trying to move heaven and earth to stop what might be considered a Second Front,

come to the battle; the rice farmers. Hence the Emergency Decree, prevent the rice farmers from

melding in with, and discussing facts with the Suthep Protestors.

PTP screwed the pooch by calling the election before paying the farmers.

And similarly to when Somchai dithered and did NOT move his eggs to PTP from PPP,

they have lost the momentum to control the next Parliament. But worse they may well

have lost the long time purchased voting blocks of the rice farmers.

The main problem is "Thaksin Thinks PTP Does", and when the pressure is on,

Thaksin doesn't think as clearly.Been obviously the case since 2006, as seen in 2008 and 2010 too.

So we get another emergency decree, but when the words Marshal Law get used watch out for the army.

Circle the wagons and watch as the indian nations edge in closer.

I wouldn't want to be in the Cabinet, War Room or Finance Ministry at the moment.

Looks like the EC wants the farmer not to get paid at all which is purely politically motivated. Even when the new government is appointed they still have to pay the farmers.

Before your edit time is up, re-read what you wrote and try to pick the logical flaw. Start with "farmer not to get paid at all" and then move to "they still have to pay the farmers."

Ironic how they managed to pay the rubber farmers subsidy in the South (just to shut them up at the time) and now can't afford to pay their core supporters...

I feel sorry for the farmers families, just trying to earn and living (not even a massive income) and getting shafted.

Looks like the EC wants the farmer not to get paid at all which is purely politically motivated. Even when the new government is appointed they still have to pay the farmers.

If the EC has denied approval due to the legality of borrowings during a caretaker government, then they are correct. It is entirely the fault of the buffoons at the Finance and Commerce Ministries and by association the P.M., that the farmers have not been paid the monies due to them months ago. They try to blame the EC, Suthep, the protesters. but we all know who's to blame.

The squirming of this caretaker government becomes more amusing by the day.

Perhaps instead of offering millions of baht as rewards, Mr Thaksin might just dig into his overseas bank accounts and help out some of these poor dirt farmers his scam has affected.

The upside of this fiasco is there'll be no shortage of rice for domestic consumption.

And it is enriched with protein.

If the EC lacks the authority to issue the loans to the farmers, who is authorized to do so, now with out risk of sounding stupid, how come this has just been realized , the EC should have advised the caretaker government of this when they first asked, so the question is , who has the authority, would someone put their hand up, clear the accounts and let the PTP pay the farmers what they are entitled to , so who is going to make the call. Christ what a dumb mob of idiots.

It appears the farmers are screwed and just going to have to wait until there is a new government.

The EC can do nothing as the constitution is written.

Hopefully these poor farmers have learned a lesson and choose leaders that care less about their own bank accounts, than the well being of their constituents.

If the EC lacks the authority to issue the loans to the farmers, who is authorized to do so, now with out risk of sounding stupid, how come this has just been realized , the EC should have advised the caretaker government of this when they first asked, so the question is , who has the authority, would someone put their hand up, clear the accounts and let the PTP pay the farmers what they are entitled to , so who is going to make the call. Christ what a dumb mob of idiots.

Looks like the EC wants the farmer not to get paid at all which is purely politically motivated. Even when the new government is appointed they still have to pay the farmers.

What was politically motivated was promising the farmers that these astronomical subsidies could be paid endlessly in the first place. This problem is nothing to do with the EC, can you not wake up? It is to do with the fact that there is NO money. If there was money, all Yingluck had to do prior to agreeing to dissolve parliament was to ensure that systems were in place to pay the farmers, lets face it, they have been waiting since October so this is not something the Government have just 'forgotten about'!

The EC are following the law, if they do not then the next Government that gets in will put them in jail for breaking the law as soon as any member of the EC displeases the next PM. The reason is simple....No Money....No Money...No Money. Some folks on here seem to be genuinely falling for the brain washing propaganda of the Government that this situation is the fault of the EC or Suthep. If allegedly educated people are falling for this tripe then imagine how easy it is to convince the uneducated and illiterate farmers that Satan is actually their Fairy Godmother. There would be NO need to authorize loans if the Government had told the truth and actually had the money they said they had. Where has all the 600 billion+ gone? Why is that not your question instead of 'why won't the EC approve more?

This story is gathering real momentum. This movement has now spread from the North to the farming regions of the Central regions. No longer will a man be able to so nakedly exploit a region for his own political gain. The farmers have seen that story. Been there, done that. Their eyes are wide open. And they now realize that Thaksin was never the source of their strength or power. It was always themselves all along.

The EC better change their tune and help the PM to pay for this rice scheme. If not the powers that be might conclude that the EC failure to help is actually inciting the farmers to gather and protest. This would be in violation of the emergency decree and a perfect excuse to get a new board pro thaksin to govern the EC

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Voice from Dubai: Dont worry we will get the village leaders to control their rice farmers if they get too much out of hand well bring out the red shirts to attend to them in their homes.

YS: OK!

Voice from Dubai: Now then - the protests have to stop - can you ramp up a few more grenade attacks and kill a few more of those unarmend protestors who not want me back- - they have to learn this ees dimocasee that I am running here!! haa loy baht, haa loy baht!!

YS": OK!

If the EC lacks the authority to issue the loans to the farmers, who is authorized to do so, now with out risk of sounding stupid, how come this has just been realized , the EC should have advised the caretaker government of this when they first asked, so the question is , who has the authority, would someone put their hand up, clear the accounts and let the PTP pay the farmers what they are entitled to , so who is going to make the call. Christ what a dumb mob of idiots.

The government had to put the money away into the Agriculture Bank in time, so they could have paid the farmers on time as planned, but if you play around with the money, and skim off the lot…..

They should have thought about it before, so they would not have to borrow to pay the farmers.

The EC better change their tune and help the PM to pay for this rice scheme. If not the powers that be might conclude that the EC failure to help is actually inciting the farmers to gather and protest. This would be in violation of the emergency decree and a perfect excuse to get a new board pro thaksin to govern the EC

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"get a new board pro thaksin to govern the EC"

Are you suggesting suborning another independent organisation? And you wonder why protesters are asking for reform.

If the EC lacks the authority to issue the loans to the farmers, who is authorized to do so, now with out risk of sounding stupid, how come this has just been realized , the EC should have advised the caretaker government of this when they first asked, so the question is , who has the authority, would someone put their hand up, clear the accounts and let the PTP pay the farmers what they are entitled to , so who is going to make the call. Christ what a dumb mob of idiots.

That one is simple.

The square faced one, who claims to have single handedly repaid the IMF debt (but actually moved it to the BoT) can pay it himself.

If he needs a few extra baht to do so, then there must be plenty of cronies that have skimmed enough to help the gravy train from derailing

Ironic how they managed to pay the rubber farmers subsidy in the South (just to shut them up at the time) and now can't afford to pay their core supporters...

I feel sorry for the farmers families, just trying to earn and living (not even a massive income) and getting shafted.

Not all, The local orbortor's office lost our proof of paying rent/tax for Tor Bor 5. Plenty of people in the area in the same boat. Not had a cetang out of it.

Ironic how they managed to pay the rubber farmers subsidy in the South (just to shut them up at the time) and now can't afford to pay their core supporters...

I feel sorry for the farmers families, just trying to earn and living (not even a massive income) and getting shafted.

Not all, The local orbortor's office lost our proof of paying rent/tax for Tor Bor 5. Plenty of people in the area in the same boat. Not had a cetang out of it.

Actually you are right, just checked with the wife..

She says some people were paid ???

But her Mum has been told she has to wait

Lies lies and more lies from the top....

The EC better change their tune and help the PM to pay for this rice scheme. If not the powers that be might conclude that the EC failure to help is actually inciting the farmers to gather and protest. This would be in violation of the emergency decree and a perfect excuse to get a new board pro thaksin to govern the EC

Sent from my GT-S5310 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

"get a new board pro thaksin to govern the EC"

Are you suggesting suborning another independent organisation? And you wonder why protesters are asking for reform.

What an amazing post. "The EC better change their tune and help the P.M. pay for this rice scheme."

Brilliant! And where does the money come from Einstein? Why should they help the P.M.?

The job of the election commission is to facilitate elections..........legally. The PTP wants to pay the farmers but the fools have no money to pay the farmers..........legally.

Plus the Election Commission is supposed to be a neutral body not "A Pro Thaksin Board" as you so naively suggest. Basically PTP have shot themselves in the foot with this one.

And, JR, I am sure he doesn't care why protesters are asking for reform with an attitude like that.

"Mr Kittiratt made it clear to the EC that the loan payment could not be finished during the tenure of the caretaker government”

Thaksinist governments don't repay loans, they shuffle debts. Repaying loans would reduce the opportunities for "opportunistic redistribution".

Your wrong yet again, but that's no surprise.

FACT: Thaksin on a massive program of infrastructure investment including roads, public transit and Suvarnabhumi Airport. Nevertheless Public sector dept. fell from 57% of GDP in January 2001 to 41% in September 2006.

Levels of corruption were perceived to have fallen with transparences International's Corruption perceptions Index improving from 3.2 to 3.8 between 2001 2005.

Wikipedia, Gotta love it when you slapped with facts

CHECK MATE...

Looks like the EC wants the farmer not to get paid at all which is purely politically motivated. Even when the new government is appointed they still have to pay the farmers.

Not sure. It could be they know that sending the money through the present channels the cash may not reach those in need at all.

They need to find a way to pay the farmers using an independent and graft free mechanism.

"Mr Kittiratt made it clear to the EC that the loan payment could not be finished during the tenure of the caretaker government”

Thaksinist governments don't repay loans, they shuffle debts. Repaying loans would reduce the opportunities for "opportunistic redistribution".

Your wrong yet again, but that's no surprise.

FACT: Thaksin on a massive program of infrastructure investment including roads, public transit and Suvarnabhumi Airport. Nevertheless Public sector dept. fell from 57% of GDP in January 2001 to 41% in September 2006.

Levels of corruption were perceived to have fallen with transparences International's Corruption perceptions Index improving from 3.2 to 3.8 between 2001 2005.

Wikipedia, Gotta love it when you slapped with facts

CHECK MATE...

Facts and Wikipedia can often be an oxymoron. I can go onto that very page now and change what it says. Do you not think that Amsterdam and Noppodom write everything about Thaksin on Wikipedia?

No corruption at Suvarnabhumi? Well before we get even in the door, how about all the plate glass at the airport (lots isnt there) that is supposed to be expensive tempered glass, but........ it's not, it is normal glass! If a bomb went off there the airport would look like the inside of a butchers shop. Somebody made a LOT of money with that little short cut! Now do we start talking about the land acquisition for the airport by Thaksins family. It is obviously just an amazing coincidence that he and his family owned all the land and then he and his Government decided to build a new airport there with the land then sold back to AOT at a 100 times the purchase price. Apart from that and a list as long as your arm of other things then yes you are right Thaksin's a great bloke

"Mr Kittiratt made it clear to the EC that the loan payment could not be finished during the tenure of the caretaker government”

Thaksinist governments don't repay loans, they shuffle debts. Repaying loans would reduce the opportunities for "opportunistic redistribution".

Your wrong yet again, but that's no surprise.

FACT: Thaksin on a massive program of infrastructure investment including roads, public transit and Suvarnabhumi Airport. Nevertheless Public sector dept. fell from 57% of GDP in January 2001 to 41% in September 2006.

Levels of corruption were perceived to have fallen with transparences International's Corruption perceptions Index improving from 3.2 to 3.8 between 2001 2005.

Wikipedia, Gotta love it when you slapped with facts

CHECK MATE...

Facts and Wikipedia can often be an oxymoron. I can go onto that very page now and change what it says. Do you not think that Amsterdam and Noppodom write everything about Thaksin on Wikipedia?

No corruption at Suvarnabhumi? Well before we get even in the door, how about all the plate glass at the airport (lots isnt there) that is supposed to be expensive tempered glass, but........ it's not, it is normal glass! If a bomb went off there the airport would look like the inside of a butchers shop. Somebody made a LOT of money with that little short cut! Now do we start talking about the land acquisition for the airport by Thaksins family. It is obviously just an amazing coincidence that he and his family owned all the land and then he and his Government decided to build a new airport there with the land then sold back to AOT at a 100 times the purchase price. Apart from that and a list as long as your arm of other things then yes you are right Thaksin's a great bloke

It has to be said the Thai people need free of this, but Mr. Suthep isn't an option either. Meet the new boss, same as the old boss . . .

Money is a sensitive topic, and when you don't repay people, they will....

"Mr Kittiratt made it clear to the EC that the loan payment could not be finished during the tenure of the caretaker government”

Thaksinist governments don't repay loans, they shuffle debts. Repaying loans would reduce the opportunities for "opportunistic redistribution".

Your wrong yet again, but that's no surprise.

FACT: Thaksin on a massive program of infrastructure investment including roads, public transit and Suvarnabhumi Airport. Nevertheless Public sector dept. fell from 57% of GDP in January 2001 to 41% in September 2006.

Levels of corruption were perceived to have fallen with transparences International's Corruption perceptions Index improving from 3.2 to 3.8 between 2001 2005.

Wikipedia, Gotta love it when you slapped with facts

CHECK MATE...

Facts and Wikipedia can often be an oxymoron. I can go onto that very page now and change what it says. Do you not think that Amsterdam and Noppodom write everything about Thaksin on Wikipedia?

No corruption at Suvarnabhumi? Well before we get even in the door, how about all the plate glass at the airport (lots isnt there) that is supposed to be expensive tempered glass, but........ it's not, it is normal glass! If a bomb went off there the airport would look like the inside of a butchers shop. Somebody made a LOT of money with that little short cut! Now do we start talking about the land acquisition for the airport by Thaksins family. It is obviously just an amazing coincidence that he and his family owned all the land and then he and his Government decided to build a new airport there with the land then sold back to AOT at a 100 times the purchase price. Apart from that and a list as long as your arm of other things then yes you are right Thaksin's a great bloke

Really,

Planning the new air port was in the early 1960's, and well considering the land for Swampy was purchased in 1973, and Thaksin's family had their business's in Chiang Mai, BUT hey I wonder if you can produce documentation that the Shin's owned the land and then they decided to sell the land and build a new air port cause if you say so it simply must be true,,, and even if they did own the land then what?

also you can prove3 that the glass was supposed to be tempered glass but it's not and someone made a LOT of money you have a problem with making a profit?

I notice you have not touched on any other FACT'S I mentioned in my last post, Why's that?

"Mr Kittiratt made it clear to the EC that the loan payment could not be finished during the tenure of the caretaker government”

Thaksinist governments don't repay loans, they shuffle debts. Repaying loans would reduce the opportunities for "opportunistic redistribution".

Your wrong yet again, but that's no surprise.

FACT: Thaksin on a massive program of infrastructure investment including roads, public transit and Suvarnabhumi Airport. Nevertheless Public sector dept. fell from 57% of GDP in January 2001 to 41% in September 2006.

Levels of corruption were perceived to have fallen with transparences International's Corruption perceptions Index improving from 3.2 to 3.8 between 2001 2005.

Wikipedia, Gotta love it when you slapped with facts

CHECK MATE...

When you control the books it's easy enough to manipulate the appearances of propriety,

if there is enough money to go around to cover the dodge, the trick is to do it in low times...

That is why they are hanging in the wind now.

Just because they didn't own the land under the airport, doesn't mean they didn't

buy up huge swaths around the airport later and resell it for infrastructure like the trains to the airport.

And fitting out the airport was by far the biggest graft machine in the nations recent history.

The commerce minister begged the EC to understand the need of the government to pay farmers who are suffering from late payment.

He said if the EC is “cruel” and rejects its request, the government a contingency plan to cope with.

The government gets it wrong a lot: they go begging at the wrong organization, they go to the wrong court for rulings that can't apply, they give special trade status to Montenegro..., but...

...they also get it right: hmmm, I had an example...it's on the tip of my tongue...ouch, damn, wrong country....uh, sorry...

"Mr Kittiratt made it clear to the EC that the loan payment could not be finished during the tenure of the caretaker government”

Thaksinist governments don't repay loans, they shuffle debts. Repaying loans would reduce the opportunities for "opportunistic redistribution".

Your wrong yet again, but that's no surprise.

FACT: Thaksin on a massive program of infrastructure investment including roads, public transit and Suvarnabhumi Airport. Nevertheless Public sector dept. fell from 57% of GDP in January 2001 to 41% in September 2006.

Levels of corruption were perceived to have fallen with transparences International's Corruption perceptions Index improving from 3.2 to 3.8 between 2001 2005.

Wikipedia, Gotta love it when you slapped with facts

CHECK MATE...

Facts and Wikipedia can often be an oxymoron. I can go onto that very page now and change what it says. Do you not think that Amsterdam and Noppodom write everything about Thaksin on Wikipedia?

No corruption at Suvarnabhumi? Well before we get even in the door, how about all the plate glass at the airport (lots isnt there) that is supposed to be expensive tempered glass, but........ it's not, it is normal glass! If a bomb went off there the airport would look like the inside of a butchers shop. Somebody made a LOT of money with that little short cut! Now do we start talking about the land acquisition for the airport by Thaksins family. It is obviously just an amazing coincidence that he and his family owned all the land and then he and his Government decided to build a new airport there with the land then sold back to AOT at a 100 times the purchase price. Apart from that and a list as long as your arm of other things then yes you are right Thaksin's a great bloke

Really,

Planning the new air port was in the early 1960's, and well considering the land for Swampy was purchased in 1973, and Thaksin's family had their business's in Chiang Mai, BUT hey I wonder if you can produce documentation that the Shin's owned the land and then they decided to sell the land and build a new air port cause if you say so it simply must be true,,, and even if they did own the land then what?

also you can prove3 that the glass was supposed to be tempered glass but it's not and someone made a LOT of money you have a problem with making a profit?

I notice you have not touched on any other FACT'S I mentioned in my last post, Why's that?

Well there's another possible scenario:

- Airport plans already in place (but quite old)

- Land already acquired.

But hey why not go ahead anyway - still lots of corruption / collusion opportunities await.