Thai PM set to give defence against negligence charges

[webfact]

Thai PM set to give defence against negligence charges

BANGKOK, March 31, 2014 (AFP) - Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra is expected Monday to mount her defence against negligence charges linked to a controversial rice subsidy scheme that could presage her removal from office and a ban from politics.

Yingluck has been summoned to appear before the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) by Monday after a bid to push back the deadline for her defence was rejected.

She could face an impeachment vote in the upper house of parliament within weeks.

The scheme, which paid farmers above market rates for their crop, has become a lightning rod for anger from her political opponents who have massed on Bangkok's streets for months in a bid to topple her government.

They allege the subsidy scheme punched a hole in Thai finances, battered the country's rice producing industry and fostered massive corruption -- all to shore up Yingluck's rural electoral base.

The NACC filed charges against Yingluck in February, saying she had ignored warnings over the subsidy scheme.

The embattled premier has said she is innocent but if she is found guilty faces an impeachment vote in the upper house and a possible five-year ban from politics, as well as potential imprisonment by the courts on criminal charges.

It was unclear late Sunday if she would contest the charge in person or through her lawyers.
Norrawit Larlaeng, one of her legal team, last week said the premier had not been given enough time to respond to the charge.

"The investigation against her has been rushed and it is unfair as we cannot see the evidence," he said.

Observers say the crisis now appears to be entering a crucial new phase.

Polls for the elected portion of the Senate -- representing a narrow majority of the upper house -- were successfully held Sunday with an estimated 40 percent turnout.

The rest of the house is appointed by institutions seen as being allied to the anti-government establishment, including the Constitutional Court and Election Commission.

The make-up of the Senate is being closely-watched with the expectation that responsibility for the impeachment of the prime minister could soon fall to its 150 members -- who are officially non-partisan.

Thailand has been bitterly divided since a military coup in 2006 ousted Yingluck's brother Thaksin Shinawatra, a billionaire tycoon-turned-politician who lives in Dubai to avoid prison for a corruption conviction.

Pro-government "Red Shirts" have vowed to fight any attempt to remove Yingluck from office, saying they will not stomach another elected leader being ousted despite winning a democratic majority.

The Red Shirts' street rallies against the previous government in 2010 resulted in bloody street clashes and a military crackdown that left dozens dead.


-- (c) Copyright AFP 2014-03-31

[webfact]

PM yet to confirm appearance before NACC
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- CARETAKER PRIME MINISTER Yingluck Shinawatra said yesterday she has not decided whether she will defend herself in person today before the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) over the rice-pledging scheme corruption case, or send her lawyer on her behalf.

The NACC is investigating the case before resolving whether to indict Yingluck on charges of alleged malfeasance and dereliction of duty for her failure to stop the rice-pledging scheme, which was allegedly rampant with corruption and led to a huge loss to the state.

NACC secretary general Sansern Poljiak yesterday said the NACC would not decide whether to indict the premier today.

However, he urged Yingluck to at least send her lawyer to submit her explanation in document form today and she could ask to give an explanation in person later.

Sansern said that after the explanation was submitted, the NACC would consider any request from Yingluck for it to make further |investigations and would decide on that in a meeting the following |day.

Yingluck said she had asked the NACC for an additional 15 days to submit her defence statement, after having already been granted an initial 15-day extension, but she was refused this time.

She said she had managed to get information about the charges from the NACC's 280-page case document on Thursday, so she ended up having only three days to study the document to defend herself against the charges.

Yingluck has questioned whether the NACC has treated her fairly, or in the same manner as other political office holders.

"We see that there was no progress in many other cases [involving NACC investigations]," she said.

"Some cases have almost reached the statue of limitations and some have lost it.

"Some cases see no progress because of a lack of documents but I have just been accused after a 21-day investigation and I was denied additional time to be prepared for the interrogation.''

Noppadon Pattama, on the committee for Pheu Thai Party's affairs, raised the following questions with the NACC in connection with the agency's accusations against Yingluck.

1. Why did the agency take more than five years to probe the case against Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva over the corruption allegation involving rice distribution and make no progress, while pressing charges against Yingluck after only 21 days?

2. Does the NACC want to bring about a swift prosecution against Yingluck by having a full NACC panel investigating the case instead of appointing a sub panel to do the job, as it normally does with other cases?

3. The NACC pressing charges of malfeasance and dereliction of duty against Yingluck shows that Yingluck had nothing to do with the corruption, so why is the agency pressing charges in the broad spectrum against her?

4. The NACC produced a 280-page document covering the charges against Yingluck and only three days before she is forced to make her defence statement. Is the time given to her too short?

5. Does the NACC carry out its duties fairly?

6. Why doesn't the NACC give Yingluck additional time to submit her defence statement, even though the NACC's decision in this case could result in her being suspended from duty?

Noppadon urged the NACC to give Yingluck ample opportunity to defend herself and rule in accordance with the truth, saying he |could not predict how the agency's verdict would impact on the country.

Democrat Party deputy leader Ongart Klampaiboon said Yingluck was not entitled to send her |lawyer to defend charges of malfeasance.

"She must defend herself in person, since she used her judgement in signing papers related to the rice-pledging scheme," he said.

"No one knows her mind or thoughts about the issues."

Ongart expects the political mercury could reach "boiling point" this month because independent agencies are finalising many cases against the government.


-- The Nation 2014-03-31

[PaullyW]

Easy to figure out what will happen. If PM is convicted, REDS will go crazy and there will be blood.

If she is not YELLOWS or ANTI-REDS will continue to use their considerable economic and political might to bring to bear on the REDS and economy.

Can't be fixed the way they are going about it, and it will be interesting to watch all these sociopaths ruin the country's economy for a couple years. Be a good time to snatch up some cheap real estate.

[NongKhaiKid]

" no one knows her mind or thoughts about the issues ' and that includes YL herself.

[worgeordie]

Will the PM be providing the explanation herself,in her own words ?

as that will be very interesting,if she tells the truth,the whole truth and

nothing but the truth, shes going to have big problems,as a scam this

big cannot be easily explained away,suspect she will have a mouth piece

answering for her, or can you take the Thai equivalent of the 5th..

The problem here, people do not seem to ask really difficult questions

and put the subject under pressure to get to the truth,its like the police

asking murder suspects to please come to the station !

regards Worgeordie

[Costas2008]

" no one knows her mind or thoughts about the issues ' and that includes YL herself.

But, her brother told her all about it.

He also instructed her to send her lawyers to represent her.

As evidence, a video of her crying will be presented to the court.

Good Luck Yingluck, we are all behind you, and we will send you some tissues.

[Hawkman]

The problem here, this is a country and culture where losing face is the ultimate humiliation. Lie, cheat, steal, kill, but never lose face.

She will just deny everything and say it's all politically motivated and biased, like every other charge against her clan, the sad thing is, the red shirts believe it all.

[binjalin]

all politically motivated

can you imagine Obama taken to court over Obamacare? or Thatcher over Poll Tax?

it's a farce wrapped up in an absurdity

Edited March 31, 2014 by binjalin

[Mentors]

all politically motivated

can you imagine Obama taken to court over Obamacare? or Thatcher over Poll Tax?

it's a farce wrapped up in an absurdity

absolutely.

Dont forget, Suthep doesn't have time for the court and his murder charges.

Edited March 31, 2014 by Mentors

[moe666]

all politically motivated

can you imagine Obama taken to court over Obamacare? or Thatcher over Poll Tax?

it's a farce wrapped up in an absurdity

If the Republicans in the states could find one flaw in Obamacare that they think is criminal they would try in a heart beat to impeach Obama. You could ask Bill Clinton about impeachment

[BlueNoseCodger]

The scheme, which paid farmers above market rates for their crop

Not really, it paid above the rice cartels price, but that price has always been held low by agreement between the rice middlemen.

They pay about 8000 baht a tonnes for the best quality paddy, which is equivalent to 11,111 baht per tonne of milled, which is then exported for 37770 (link to export prices) baht a tonne and it is then sold in Tesco UK for 80000+ baht a tonne equivalent (5kg = 8 quid).

The government replaced their cartel with a government agency, that pays 15000 baht a tonne paddy, equivalent to 20833 milled and exported at 37770 baht.

Abhisit's democrat price guarantee worked differently, it subsidied the rice cartel price to a minimum. It worked out to be 11500 baht per tonne of paddy (link) for the best grades. The big issue with the Democrats scheme was it let the cartel drive the buy price lower, and the government made up the difference so farmers still farmed.

The rice cartel loves the democrat scheme because it's more money in their pocket, they hate the government scheme because all that money that was theirs is handed to farmers and the government. The export agency the government set up, didn't get its exporting act together quickly enough, hence that gave them a chance to attack! Although we're back on track.

[renaissanc]

This ia what happens when you go shopping and travelling around the world all the time - and do your brother's bidding all the time. The plan of being able to deny responsibility for everything has failed. Be honest! Did you really expect to be able to deny responsibility for the rice scam scheme for ever?

[binjalin]

all politically motivated

can you imagine Obama taken to court over Obamacare? or Thatcher over Poll Tax?

it's a farce wrapped up in an absurdity

If the Republicans in the states could find one flaw in Obamacare that they think is criminal they would try in a heart beat to impeach Obama. You could ask Bill Clinton about impeachment

yes but there is that process - not this bizarre jumping into Court every five minutes - that's not a justice system that's a 'playground' system of tit for tat

I do not for one minute believe Yingluck, personally, has sat down and thought out any corrupt strategy - has someone, below her, mis-managed? yes a high probability as Thai's are not known for their 'management' skills but any such mis-management should be challenged at election time (you know that strange process most countries use?)

To suggest Yingluck is corrupt is using a piledriver to smash a tomato

When will they grow up? reform the justice system number ONE

ALL of the PTP's 6 points are extremely valid particularly:

Why did the agency take more than five years to probe the case against Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva over the corruption allegation involving rice distribution and make no progress, while pressing charges against Yingluck after only 21 days?

anyone care to defend those 6 points?

Edited March 31, 2014 by binjalin

[BlueNoseCodger]

all politically motivated

can you imagine Obama taken to court over Obamacare? or Thatcher over Poll Tax?

it's a farce wrapped up in an absurdity

If the Republicans in the states could find one flaw in Obamacare that they think is criminal they would try in a heart beat to impeach Obama. You could ask Bill Clinton about impeachment

yes but there is that process - not this bizarre jumping into Court every five minutes - that's not a justice system that's a 'playground' system of tit for tat

I do not for one minute believe Yingluck, personally, has sat down and thought out any corrupt strategy - has someone, below her, mis-managed? yes a high probability as Thai's are not known for their 'management' skills but any such mis-management should be challenged at election time (you know that strange process most countries use?)

To suggest Yingluck is corrupt is using a piledriver to smash a tomato

When will they grow up? reform the justice system number ONE

Actually their corruption strategy is to setup an agency that investigates and prosecutes corruption.... NACC, done and dusted!

They're claiming she is negligent in not stopping corruption, but that's their job, if there was negligence, it was theirs.

They've made some allegations of corruption against others, but haven't proved them in court, so if the court says the claims are false, and it was not corruption, then how can she prove she was not negligent in not stopping things that didn't happen?

Surely they have to prove there was corruption first, before they can remove her from power for failing to stop it.

Also the timing is an issue, January 16th 2014, they decide to investigate her, and 31st March they're ready to indict her. Man that's fast. Even giving her a whole 3 days to read 280 pages of claims against her.

Of course they have to move fast, if they're to submit the claim to the Senate while the appointed part is the only part in power. That senate can then suspend her, while the prosecution proceeds, and they can put their neutral middle man in power.

AFP really have a good grasp of what's going on.

Edited March 31, 2014 by BlueNoseCodger

[Eric Loh]

Bangkok Pundit see this right and it is nothing but a conspiracy to nail Yingluck.http://asiancorrespondent.com/121140/veera-yingluck-and-the-nacc/

[almafudd]

The scheme, which paid farmers above market rates for their crop

Not really, it paid above the rice cartels price, but that price has always been held low by agreement between the rice middlemen.

They pay about 8000 baht a tonnes for the best quality paddy, which is equivalent to 11,111 baht per tonne of milled, which is then exported for 37770 (link to export prices) baht a tonne and it is then sold in Tesco UK for 80000+ baht a tonne equivalent (5kg = 8 quid).

The government replaced their cartel with a government agency, that pays 15000 baht a tonne paddy, equivalent to 20833 milled and exported at 37770 baht.

Abhisit's democrat price guarantee worked differently, it subsidied the rice cartel price to a minimum. It worked out to be 11500 baht per tonne of paddy (link) for the best grades. The big issue with the Democrats scheme was it let the cartel drive the buy price lower, and the government made up the difference so farmers still farmed.

The rice cartel loves the democrat scheme because it's more money in their pocket, they hate the government scheme because all that money that was theirs is handed to farmers and the government. The export agency the government set up, didn't get its exporting act together quickly enough, hence that gave them a chance to attack! Although we're back on track.

There is a WORLD RICE PRICE you dh - Thailand does not dictate that price the world market does

You do know other countries grow and sell rice don't you?? Thailand doesn't set the price the world market does

And when a country tries to manipulate the price you end up with what Thailand has today.

Research what you are posting and stop posting utter carp!

btw who are these rice mafia / cartels?

[BlueNoseCodger]

This ia what happens when you go shopping and travelling around the world all the time - and do your brother's bidding all the time. The plan of being able to deny responsibility for everything has failed. Be honest! Did you really expect to be able to deny responsibility for the rice scam scheme for ever?

The flip side of that, is what happens if Suthep gets power? What does he do with the rice pledge stocks?

The current buy price is 15000 baht, and export price is 37770 baht. If Suthep continues to export that stock at 37770 (link to export prices) baht a tonne, then the scheme ultimately becomes very very profitable for government. On the other hand he supports the rice middleman cartel, what if he sells it back to them at their usual price of 11,111 (milled) or similar? Then the government takes a huge loss, and these rice middlemen get a huge windfall!

Before you vote for him , you might want to ask him his plan to reform the rice pledge scheme.

[BlueNoseCodger]

The scheme, which paid farmers above market rates for their crop

Not really, it paid above the rice cartels price, but that price has always been held low by agreement between the rice middlemen.

They pay about 8000 baht a tonnes for the best quality paddy, which is equivalent to 11,111 baht per tonne of milled, which is then exported for 37770 (link to export prices) baht a tonne and it is then sold in Tesco UK for 80000+ baht a tonne equivalent (5kg = 8 quid).

The government replaced their cartel with a government agency, that pays 15000 baht a tonne paddy, equivalent to 20833 milled and exported at 37770 baht.

Abhisit's democrat price guarantee worked differently, it subsidied the rice cartel price to a minimum. It worked out to be 11500 baht per tonne of paddy (link) for the best grades. The big issue with the Democrats scheme was it let the cartel drive the buy price lower, and the government made up the difference so farmers still farmed.

The rice cartel loves the democrat scheme because it's more money in their pocket, they hate the government scheme because all that money that was theirs is handed to farmers and the government. The export agency the government set up, didn't get its exporting act together quickly enough, hence that gave them a chance to attack! Although we're back on track.

There is a WORLD RICE PRICE you dh - Thailand does not dictate that price the world market does

You do know other countries grow and sell rice don't you?? Thailand doesn't set the price the world market does

And when a country tries to manipulate the price you end up with what Thailand has today.

Research what you are posting and stop posting utter carp!

btw who are these rice mafia / cartels?

That is the export price, and Thailand is the top exporter even at those prices. Thai rice sells at a premium because it is the best. Thai Fragrant rice necessarily is grown in Thailand, hence the name, so it competes with all manner of long grain and other rices, and wins.

[almafudd]

all politically motivated

can you imagine Obama taken to court over Obamacare? or Thatcher over Poll Tax?

it's a farce wrapped up in an absurdity

If the Republicans in the states could find one flaw in Obamacare that they think is criminal they would try in a heart beat to impeach Obama. You could ask Bill Clinton about impeachment

yes but there is that process - not this bizarre jumping into Court every five minutes - that's not a justice system that's a 'playground' system of tit for tat

I do not for one minute believe Yingluck, personally, has sat down and thought out any corrupt strategy - has someone, below her, mis-managed? yes a high probability as Thai's are not known for their 'management' skills but any such mis-management should be challenged at election time (you know that strange process most countries use?)

To suggest Yingluck is corrupt is using a piledriver to smash a tomato

When will they grow up? reform the justice system number ONE

Actually their corruption strategy is to setup an agency that investigates and prosecutes corruption.... NACC, done and dusted!

They're claiming she is negligent in not stopping corruption, but that's their job, if there was negligence, it was theirs.

They've made some allegations of corruption against others, but haven't proved them in court, so if the court says the claims are false, and it was not corruption, then how can she prove she was not negligent in not stopping things that didn't happen?

Surely they have to prove there was corruption first, before they can remove her from power for failing to stop it.

Also the timing is an issue, January 16th 2014, they decide to investigate her, and 31st March they're ready to indict her. Man that's fast. Even giving her a whole 3 days to read 280 pages of claims against her.

Of course they have to move fast, if they're to submit the claim to the Senate while the appointed part is the only part in power. That senate can then suspend her, while the prosecution proceeds, and they can put their neutral middle man in power.

AFP really have a good grasp of what's going on.

I don't think you know how the law works.

Each case brought before a court is judged on it's own merits.

Judges can use precedence if they want to - they don't have to.

It is their court room and they can do as they like so long as it is legal.

It could well turn out that Yinluck is guilty of being negligent and no one is ever charged with corruption!

Courts can take as long as they like to decide a case (or as little time as they like).

This is how the law works.

Where does it say this is against Thai law???

One reason why the NACC may have moved so quick (over two years! btw) maybe due to the large amounts of money involved in this case and the impact it is having on the Thailand!

So stop your ranting and incorrect posting - get over it!!

edit: spelling

Edited March 31, 2014 by almafudd

[almafudd]

The scheme, which paid farmers above market rates for their crop

Not really, it paid above the rice cartels price, but that price has always been held low by agreement between the rice middlemen.

They pay about 8000 baht a tonnes for the best quality paddy, which is equivalent to 11,111 baht per tonne of milled, which is then exported for 37770 (link to export prices) baht a tonne and it is then sold in Tesco UK for 80000+ baht a tonne equivalent (5kg = 8 quid).

The government replaced their cartel with a government agency, that pays 15000 baht a tonne paddy, equivalent to 20833 milled and exported at 37770 baht.

Abhisit's democrat price guarantee worked differently, it subsidied the rice cartel price to a minimum. It worked out to be 11500 baht per tonne of paddy (link) for the best grades. The big issue with the Democrats scheme was it let the cartel drive the buy price lower, and the government made up the difference so farmers still farmed.

The rice cartel loves the democrat scheme because it's more money in their pocket, they hate the government scheme because all that money that was theirs is handed to farmers and the government. The export agency the government set up, didn't get its exporting act together quickly enough, hence that gave them a chance to attack! Although we're back on track.

There is a WORLD RICE PRICE you dh - Thailand does not dictate that price the world market does

You do know other countries grow and sell rice don't you?? Thailand doesn't set the price the world market does

And when a country tries to manipulate the price you end up with what Thailand has today.

Research what you are posting and stop posting utter carp!

btw who are these rice mafia / cartels?

That is the export price, and Thailand is the top exporter even at those prices. Thai rice sells at a premium because it is the best. Thai Fragrant rice necessarily is grown in Thailand, hence the name, so it competes with all manner of long grain and other rices, and wins.

<deleted> THE BUYER SETS THE PRICE!!!

What do you think happens when Thailand "auctions" it's rice??? What do they say OK guys here is the rice and it's xxx baht per kilo?? NO!!! The buyers compete against each other to determine the price!!

Thai rice is the best ...

Thailand has lost it's credibility when it comes to rice.

[GuestHouse]

How can the Puppet PM credibly question the operation of the judicial system in Thailand when her government are:

funded and controlled by her brother Thaksin, a man on the Lam

have returned a passport to a her brother Thaksin, the same man on the lam

her ministers have frequently met with her brother Thaksin, the same man on the lam

her government have returned over Bht30 Billion her brother Thaksin while he remains on the lam. money that he obtained illegally and which had previously been confiscated under court order after his convictions.

And of course she has her side kick 'Lerm.. a man well versed in obeying the law.

[WoopyDoo]

As far as moving quickly on this.

When the NACC are responsible for stopping a corrupt scheme that is actually in full flow and losing the country money at a rate of a billion baht per day.

It is their responsibility not to be moving at a snail pace. It is their duty to move fast and bring about its demise, and the demise of all those responsible for such huge losses that are increasing on a daily basis.

[JesseFrank]

This ia what happens when you go shopping and travelling around the world all the time - and do your brother's bidding all the time. The plan of being able to deny responsibility for everything has failed. Be honest! Did you really expect to be able to deny responsibility for the rice scam scheme for ever?

The flip side of that, is what happens if Suthep gets power? What does he do with the rice pledge stocks?

The current buy price is 15000 baht, and export price is 37770 baht. If Suthep continues to export that stock at 37770 (link to export prices) baht a tonne, then the scheme ultimately becomes very very profitable for government. On the other hand he supports the rice middleman cartel, what if he sells it back to them at their usual price of 11,111 (milled) or similar? Then the government takes a huge loss, and these rice middlemen get a huge windfall!

Before you vote for him , you might want to ask him his plan to reform the rice pledge scheme.

Strange that with your figures, the current bunch of criminals government can't make it profitable. Instead they ran a loss of 800 Billion. Why would that be ?

[animatic]

What? She is not going to roll over, have her belly patted,

and then allow them to put a no-scratch cone on her head

and put her in the safe cage till someone comes to adopt her?

Of course she will try and defend herself.

What a useless article.

Of course this comment is utter twaddle.

" "The investigation against her has been rushed and it is unfair as we cannot see the evidence," he said."

As if her government didn't GENERATE the actual evidence being used to prosecute?

She can't see the evidence before it is presented, even though it was created on her instructions,

and there are public statements from her and her spokespeople about the exact contents of the evidence,

going back years. Bottom line she should KNOW the evidence, from being there during it's creation.

If this is the logical strengths of her defence... she's toast.

Edited March 31, 2014 by animatic

[h90]

Easy to figure out what will happen. If PM is convicted, REDS will go crazy and there will be blood.

If she is not YELLOWS or ANTI-REDS will continue to use their considerable economic and political might to bring to bear on the REDS and economy.

Can't be fixed the way they are going about it, and it will be interesting to watch all these sociopaths ruin the country's economy for a couple years. Be a good time to snatch up some cheap real estate.

ruin the countries economy? It goes since 2005 and the economy is more healthy than everywhere in Europe with stable politics.

[WoopyDoo]

This ia what happens when you go shopping and travelling around the world all the time - and do your brother's bidding all the time. The plan of being able to deny responsibility for everything has failed. Be honest! Did you really expect to be able to deny responsibility for the rice scam scheme for ever?

The flip side of that, is what happens if Suthep gets power? What does he do with the rice pledge stocks?

The current buy price is 15000 baht, and export price is 37770 baht. If Suthep continues to export that stock at 37770 (link to export prices) baht a tonne, then the scheme ultimately becomes very very profitable for government. On the other hand he supports the rice middleman cartel, what if he sells it back to them at their usual price of 11,111 (milled) or similar? Then the government takes a huge loss, and these rice middlemen get a huge windfall!

Before you vote for him , you might want to ask him his plan to reform the rice pledge scheme.

Strange that with your figures, the current bunch of criminals government can't make it profitable. Instead they ran a loss of 800 Billion. Why would that be ?

Totally correct.

He can quote prices all day long to try to support his glorious masters. It means absolutely nowt.

The reason she is in the dock is that a budget of hundreds of billions was provided at the start of each season. That budget has disappeared, or at least 600 to 800 billion baht has disappeared, which is why the farmers are no longer getting paid.

The money has gone from the coffers..... WHERE?????????

Irrespective of rice prices etc.

That money for that rice handed over, was sent to the rice scheme and has gone somewhere else. about 60% is missing.

Is it OK with you reds if the NACC asks where it is??? Or is Thailand YOUR country now or what?

You have a cheek to question the Thai courts, it have sod all to do with you.

[almafudd]

The scheme, which paid farmers above market rates for their crop

Not really, it paid above the rice cartels price, but that price has always been held low by agreement between the rice middlemen.

They pay about 8000 baht a tonnes for the best quality paddy, which is equivalent to 11,111 baht per tonne of milled, which is then exported for 37770 (link to export prices) baht a tonne and it is then sold in Tesco UK for 80000+ baht a tonne equivalent (5kg = 8 quid).

The government replaced their cartel with a government agency, that pays 15000 baht a tonne paddy, equivalent to 20833 milled and exported at 37770 baht.

Abhisit's democrat price guarantee worked differently, it subsidied the rice cartel price to a minimum. It worked out to be 11500 baht per tonne of paddy (link) for the best grades. The big issue with the Democrats scheme was it let the cartel drive the buy price lower, and the government made up the difference so farmers still farmed.

The rice cartel loves the democrat scheme because it's more money in their pocket, they hate the government scheme because all that money that was theirs is handed to farmers and the government. The export agency the government set up, didn't get its exporting act together quickly enough, hence that gave them a chance to attack! Although we're back on track.

There is a WORLD RICE PRICE you dh - Thailand does not dictate that price the world market does

You do know other countries grow and sell rice don't you?? Thailand doesn't set the price the world market does

And when a country tries to manipulate the price you end up with what Thailand has today.

Research what you are posting and stop posting utter carp!

btw who are these rice mafia / cartels?

That is the export price, and Thailand is the top exporter even at those prices. Thai rice sells at a premium because it is the best. Thai Fragrant rice necessarily is grown in Thailand, hence the name, so it competes with all manner of long grain and other rices, and wins.

So you are now a rice expert? EVERY CROP GROWN IS A DIFFERENT QUALITY!! And with all the mountains of Thai rice sitting around the place, the quality is being lost with each passing second.

And for your information other countries grow Thai Fragrant rice - it is a type of rice

[BlueNoseCodger]

Actually their corruption strategy is to setup an agency that investigates and prosecutes corruption.... NACC, done and dusted!

They're claiming she is negligent in not stopping corruption, but that's their job, if there was negligence, it was theirs.

They've made some allegations of corruption against others, but haven't proved them in court, so if the court says the claims are false, and it was not corruption, then how can she prove she was not negligent in not stopping things that didn't happen?

Surely they have to prove there was corruption first, before they can remove her from power for failing to stop it.

Also the timing is an issue, January 16th 2014, they decide to investigate her, and 31st March they're ready to indict her. Man that's fast. Even giving her a whole 3 days to read 280 pages of claims against her.

Of course they have to move fast, if they're to submit the claim to the Senate while the appointed part is the only part in power. That senate can then suspend her, while the prosecution proceeds, and they can put their neutral middle man in power.

AFP really have a good grasp of what's going on.

I don't think you know how the law works.

Each case brought before a court is judged on it's own merits.

Judges can use precedence if they want to - they don't have to.

It is their court room and they can do as they like so long as it is legal.

It could well turn out that Yinluck is guilty of being negligent and no one is ever charge with corruption!

Courts can take as long as they like to decide a case (or as little time as they like).

This is how the law works.

Where does it say this is against Thai law???

One reason why the NACC may have moved so quick (over two years!) maybe due to the large amounts of money involved in this case and the impact it is having on the Thai economy!

So stop your ranting incorrect posts and get over it!!

Not at all. The court doesn't come into it.

NACC's job it to prevent corruption, It takes them 1.25 years to find some, and maybe 2 year to prove it happened in a court (if it really did happen). Which they haven't yet done.

They then go and say "well why didn't you stop this a year ago, you must be negligent", yet that's not her job, it's their job, and they're claiming she should have been faster than them at their own job! A job which they haven't yet even finished!

The court doesn't come into it, because the Senate can suspend the PM on an allegation alone from the NACC. The case never needs to come to court, they remove her and as the only body in power, they can appoint one of Suthep own to run the country.

Yes it's about money, 500 billion baht's worth of rice can be sold for 821 billion baht at export. So 300 billion profit will ultimately go either to the government, or the the rice cartel. If Suthep sells it off at rice cartel market price and they export it, then he can blame PT for the loss and they become very very rich. If he leaves the scheme unchanged, he can't claim he 'reformed the scheme'.

Edited March 31, 2014 by BlueNoseCodger

[Stan7444]

all politically motivated

can you imagine Obama taken to court over Obamacare? or Thatcher over Poll Tax?

it's a farce wrapped up in an absurdity

If the Republicans in the states could find one flaw in Obamacare that they think is criminal they would try in a heart beat to impeach Obama. You could ask Bill Clinton about impeachment

Don't think Obama is very far from impeachment as well. Lots of court cases being presented now and just hope they nail his ass.

[tezzainoz]

all politically motivated

can you imagine Obama taken to court over Obamacare? or Thatcher over Poll Tax?

it's a farce wrapped up in an absurdity

If the Republicans in the states could find one flaw in Obamacare that they think is criminal they would try in a heart beat to impeach Obama. You could ask Bill Clinton about impeachment

yes but there is that process - not this bizarre jumping into Court every five minutes - that's not a justice system that's a 'playground' system of tit for tat

I do not for one minute believe Yingluck, personally, has sat down and thought out any corrupt strategy - has someone, below her, mis-managed? yes a high probability as Thai's are not known for their 'management' skills but any such mis-management should be challenged at election time (you know that strange process most countries use?)

To suggest Yingluck is corrupt is using a piledriver to smash a tomato

When will they grow up? reform the justice system number ONE

ALL of the PTP's 6 points are extremely valid particularly:

Why did the agency take more than five years to probe the case against Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva over the corruption allegation involving rice distribution and make no progress, while pressing charges against Yingluck after only 21 days?

anyone care to defend those 6 points?

go back and do your research

come back and tell the truth

your own questions will be answered