Jump to content

Bridge loan auction for rice scheme met with no-show by banks


Lite Beer

Recommended Posts

Bridge loan auction for rice scheme met with no-show by banks

BANGKOK, 31 January 2014 (NNT) – No banks were reportedly present at the government’s auction of a bridging loan worth 20 billion baht, which is to be used to pay farmers in the rice pledging scheme, due to fear of risks and lack of clarity.

A total of 34 commercial banks were previously invited by the Ministry of Finance to take part in the first round of auction of the 20-billion-baht bridging loan on Thursday. Nonetheless, according to reports, none of the banks arrived at the auction venue on the day, given they were alarmed by the ambiguity of the loan plan and were not willing to take such a high risk.

Mr Piti Tantakasem, Chief Wholesale Banking Officer of TMB Bank, revealed that the bank opted not to engage in the auction because the legal terms were still unclear, making the loan an extremely risky one. He said the bank was seeking consultation with its risk assessment panel and the decision whether or not it would take part in the next round of auction was still pending.

Mr Payungsak Chartsutipol, Director and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of Krungthai Bank, reaffirmed that the bank’s executive board had not made any resolution to issue loans to the government for use in the rice pledging scheme. He also claimed that the government had never asked the bank for such loans while urging the public not to believe rumors in the social media.

Meanwhile, Deputy Commerce Minister Yanyong Phuangrach attributed the government’s inability to acquire loans from state-run banks, such as the Government Savings Bank and the Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives, to the strong objection from the banks’ labor unions. He thus urged the unions to think of the plight of rice farmers who had not been paid for their crops and were facing huge burdens from various financial obligations.

nntlogo.jpg
-- NNT 2014-01-31 footer_n.gif

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Replies 123
  • Created
  • Last Reply

Top Posters In This Topic

Top Posters In This Topic

No collateral no money, and we will not take rice as collateral. Rice is a perishable product, it can only be left on the ground in the rain for a short period of time, than all it is good for is fermentation, to bake rice whiskey Low Kow.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

This is real embarrassing for the finance ministry. Banks don't want to get involved in the rice scheme it seems. Now what? Selling bonds? Loan from international banks?

Mr T could cover the outstanding debts to the farmers and never notice the decrease in his billions.

But would he? I mean he loves the poor folk, doesn't he?

I doubt that very much.... It is upward of $4 billion USD, Thaksin has nowhere near that amount.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

...due to fear of risks and lack of clarity.

I wonder why this caretaker government does not put risk to rest by bringing the issue to the Constitution Court for a ruling...

Rule on what? Yes the rice is rotten? Where is the rest of it? Why did you say 7 million tonns have been sold in G to G deals but those buyers are wont claim the purchase?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Shinawatra spin doctors are going to blame this on the ammarts of course! They control the banks so it's their fault they don't want to loan the government the money! Therefore, if the rice farmers starve, blame the ammarts!

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

This is real embarrassing for the finance ministry. Banks don't want to get involved in the rice scheme it seems. Now what? Selling bonds? Loan from international banks?

The terms were ambiguous. Banks will get involved if they can identify how they will be repaid, they trust it, and the return is high enough to cover risks plus give them a fair return. Political risks are just one of the many risks banks evaluate, but then the MOF said these were risk free loans. Obviously banks haven't agreed, and that includes local and international banks so don't expect international banks to be lining up either.

Sent from my iPad using Thaivisa Connect Thailand

Link to comment
Share on other sites

34 invited

34 no shows

I dont suppose the Govt get a hint from this reaction.

Get a hint about what? Surely those who support the farmers (some of whom are apparently commiting suicide) shouldn't be pleased about this news? The farmers are now paying for the govt's incompetence in not obtaining the money before they dissolved house. Sure, it's ultimately the govt's fault, but that doesn't mean it's a good thing that farmers are suffering yet more.

The EC could make an exception and allow the govt to borrow money - yet they won't, despite being willing to disregard the constitution in trying to get the election moved. I know about the corruption in the rice scheme and how those at a very high level of govt have profited, yet that doesn't mean farmers should have to suffer through no fault of their own.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Mr Piti Tantakasem, Chief Wholesale Banking Officer of TMB Bank, revealed that the bank opted not to engage in the auction because the legal terms were still unclear, making the loan an extremely risky one. He said the bank was seeking consultation with its risk assessment panel and the decision whether or not it would take part in the next round of auction was still pending.

Wowowowowoooooow,... please, TMB customers, please get your money out, before Mr. Piti Tantaksem changes his mind or is threatened by any means to comply with governments' backstabbing-forced schemes, for the sake of saving FACE

Edited by MaxLee
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.










×
×
  • Create New...