Thaksin aide jailed for rice fraud

[Artisi]

He will be the first of many many people to face justice for their part in

the rice scam. I never thought this day would come, I am happy beyond words.

Prayuth has done more for this country in one month than the " leaders"

have done in twenty years .But I guess when all your time is spent in

figuring out new ways to loot money from the government, must not be

a lot of time left over in help improve the lives of the common people...

Next up ??? The big fish, Yingluck.... Too bad Thaksin is beyond

the reach of the Thai courts, as I believe he is the one that set the

whole scam up.

Would be interesting to see how many "rice-traders" have suddenly found they urgently have overseas business to attend to in person - possibly Thai Airways could run some special oneway charter trips O/S to places like Dubai, Montenegro, Chad, Somalia etc. only available to current or ex rice traders.

[pedro01]

This is bad news for Yingluck.

The more corruption prosecutions that come in, the more easily her dereliction of duty charge will stick.

[Searat7]

He will be the first of many many people to face justice for their part in

the rice scam. I never thought this day would come, I am happy beyond words.

Prayuth has done more for this country in one month than the " leaders"

have done in twenty years .But I guess when all your time is spent in

figuring out new ways to loot money from the government, must not be

a lot of time left over in help improve the lives of the common people...

Next up ??? The big fish, Yingluck.... Too bad Thaksin is beyond

the reach of the Thai courts, as I believe he is the one that set the

whole scam up.

Yingluck was too busy on shopping trips....I read that she visited more than 40 countries while PM. She was certainly negligent though.....never attending one meeting of the Rice Committee even though she was Chairperson. She should go to jail for that alone.

Sent from my iPad using Thaivisa Connect Thailand

[Nickymaster]

How on earth did he think he'd get away with this? Dumber than a sack of rocks.

Red democracy was supposed to deal with the "get away with it" part. Luckily it didn't work in this case. This guy has been Thaksin's close aide since their early days in politics. Edited June 24, 2014 by Nickymaster

[Nickymaster]

He will be the first of many many people to face justice for their part in

the rice scam. I never thought this day would come, I am happy beyond words.

Prayuth has done more for this country in one month than the " leaders"

have done in twenty years .But I guess when all your time is spent in

figuring out new ways to loot money from the government, must not be

a lot of time left over in help improve the lives of the common people...

Next up ??? The big fish, Yingluck.... Too bad Thaksin is beyond

the reach of the Thai courts, as I believe he is the one that set the

whole scam up.

I have this question: why is that verdict the result of Prayuths activities? Did the police investigation and then the prosecution start immediately after he "took over"? I am assuming that a crime of this proportion needs quite a bit of investigation and the preparation of the prosecution is not done in 30 minutes (at least when it is supposed to meet certain standards of justice). Furthermore the Thai courts have not been known for being fond of Thaksin, have they? So, Prayuth successful?

You don't think that some Thai courts would think twice when issuing a verdict when the defendant's friends are the government?

[jope]

He will be the first of many many people to face justice for their part in

the rice scam. I never thought this day would come, I am happy beyond words.

Prayuth has done more for this country in one month than the " leaders"

have done in twenty years .But I guess when all your time is spent in

figuring out new ways to loot money from the government, must not be

a lot of time left over in help improve the lives of the common people...

Next up ??? The big fish, Yingluck.... Too bad Thaksin is beyond

the reach of the Thai courts, as I believe he is the one that set the

whole scam up.

I have this question: why is that verdict the result of Prayuths activities? Did the police investigation and then the prosecution start immediately after he "took over"? I am assuming that a crime of this proportion needs quite a bit of investigation and the preparation of the prosecution is not done in 30 minutes (at least when it is supposed to meet certain standards of justice). Furthermore the Thai courts have not been known for being fond of Thaksin, have they? So, Prayuth successful?

You don't think that some Thai courts would think twice when issuing a verdict when the defendant's friends are the government?

Emphasis lies on "why Prayuth?". "Traditional Thai customs" may apply to lower courts, probably not or less to higher courts. In the current environment I assume that even lower courts have nothing to fear (unless they let a red one go, even if it might be the right thing to do).

[EyesWideOpen]

He will be the first of many many people to face justice for their part in

the rice scam. I never thought this day would come, I am happy beyond words.

Prayuth has done more for this country in one month than the " leaders"

have done in twenty years .But I guess when all your time is spent in

figuring out new ways to loot money from the government, must not be

a lot of time left over in help improve the lives of the common people...

Next up ??? The big fish, Yingluck.... Too bad Thaksin is beyond

the reach of the Thai courts, as I believe he is the one that set the

whole scam up.

I have this question: why is that verdict the result of Prayuths activities? Did the police investigation and then the prosecution start immediately after he "took over"? I am assuming that a crime of this proportion needs quite a bit of investigation and the preparation of the prosecution is not done in 30 minutes (at least when it is supposed to meet certain standards of justice). Furthermore the Thai courts have not been known for being fond of Thaksin, have they? So, Prayuth successful?

You raise an interesting question. Hard to say where the hand of Prayuth reaches. But I do know

the progress against corruption in the last month while he has been in power has been nothing short of astonishing . Maybe with him in power, all the cases that have sort of simmering on the back burner due to fear of the reach of Thaksin, have been brought to a boil. So for 6 years nothing happens, and with Prayuth in power suddenly this case is solved....Go figure.

[jope]

He will be the first of many many people to face justice for their part in

the rice scam. I never thought this day would come, I am happy beyond words.

Prayuth has done more for this country in one month than the " leaders"

have done in twenty years .But I guess when all your time is spent in

figuring out new ways to loot money from the government, must not be

a lot of time left over in help improve the lives of the common people...

Next up ??? The big fish, Yingluck.... Too bad Thaksin is beyond

the reach of the Thai courts, as I believe he is the one that set the

whole scam up.

I have this question: why is that verdict the result of Prayuths activities? Did the police investigation and then the prosecution start immediately after he "took over"? I am assuming that a crime of this proportion needs quite a bit of investigation and the preparation of the prosecution is not done in 30 minutes (at least when it is supposed to meet certain standards of justice). Furthermore the Thai courts have not been known for being fond of Thaksin, have they? So, Prayuth successful?

You raise an interesting question. Hard to say where the hand of Prayuth reaches. But I do know

the progress against corruption in the last month while he has been in power has been nothing short of astonishing . Maybe with him in power, all the cases that have sort of simmering on the back burner due to fear of the reach of Thaksin, have been brought to a boil. So for 6 years nothing happens, and with Prayuth in power suddenly this case is solved....Go figure.

Agreed. The case could have been held back to be presented at a "more suitable" time. So, indirectly it might be Prayuths doing.

[englishoak]

Made a deal with Iran and then sold it to another country?

Pretty damned dumb and six years and THB12000 fine seems very light.

Stupidity alone should qualify for 10 years + a fine in the millions? what am I missing?

The court said the defendant violated the contract signed with the Commerce Ministry and embezzled the rice after his company sold the 20,000 tonnes of rice, which his company was obligated to deliver to Iran, to another country.

Im not sure but think this is possibly one reason for a low fine and or sentence.

I don't see any mention of personal fraud or stealing funds here its all about the company. Essentially what seems to be alluded to is this guys company breached the government sales allocation and sold it instead to another country. Hes the MD so probably on the hook.

Now the question is this, did he and the company bank a payment from Iran or the gov and THEN sell the rice on to another country thereby selling it twice... OR did the company just sell it to another for some other reason ( probably better profit ) having the rice allocated in its stock from the government and leave the government with the sale to Iran still incomplete ? has Iran actually paid as yet or is it just the contract breached with no delivery as yet but no payments up front ? ...

Details are thin and its not clear if this was a personal gain and crime or as the Managing Director for his company being directly liable for charges brought ?

Since there is no mention of assets of his frozen and seems to be pointing at the company for the mis sale im assuming hes on the hook for what his company was doing rather than his own net personal gain. Or youd expect asset freezes and seizures. Thats not to say he wouldnt have been syphoning the cash off in the future though and probably would have.

And hes not in jail but on bail and appealing.

i do wish Thai reporters knew how to research a story better.

[love1012]

Made a deal with Iran and then sold it to another country?

Pretty damned dumb and six years and THB12000 fine seems very light.

Stupidity alone should qualify for 10 years + a fine in the millions? what am I missing?

The fact that he didn't expect his crooked Government to be thrown out on the street!!

[love1012]

Just wait......I'm sure that there'll be an appeal......if not, then I'll be surprised and have renewed faith in the justice system

Why shouldn't there be an appeal? I certainly would appeal. Wouldn't you, if you were sentenced to 6 Years in prison?

not if there was no case for an appeal i wouldnt!!

[Fat Haggis]

Some of you fanboi's are worse than teenage girls over Justin Bieber!!

You would actually start believeing that the General is some kind of Messiah, and he actually shits out gold nuggets!! He is but one man, but he's still not THE MAN, there is only one Supreme Ruler of Thailand, and some would do well to remember this.

This case has/had nothing to do with Prayuth, this was a case started in 2004 I believe, If the General is starting to show interest in "certain cases involving the old Regime" it simply adds more fuel to the fire that he's been conspiring with Suthep as claimed by him all along, and would not make him impartial at all, as he's also stated (The General that is )

The General is doing some good things, and on the surface they appear to be for the better, almost too good to be true, it's almsot a Democrat and PDRC supporters wet dream.

It's no secret that Prayuth had no fondness towards the PTP/UDD but he still has to tread carefully as opinions and view can change in a heartbeat and of course the entire country is "In a happy mood" they get detained if they're not toeing the party line.

Lets see some corruption cases involving some non Thaksin affiliated people be taken off the back burner, if people really believe that the General has brought this one to fruition.

Punish EVERYONE who is guilty of corruption, cut the cancer of corruption Thailand right out, regardless of who you are and what you are.

[Traveling Sailor]

6 years and 12000 baht, bit on the light side financially, should have cleaned out his bank account but at least he was given jail. Lets hope this continues to all the other scammers that the ptp allowed to get away.

Yes, he was "given" jail. However, nowhere do I read the he is in jail.

Is he really in jail, should be prison, or did they just convict him then let him go home to get his toothbrush and jammies??

[EyesWideOpen]

Some of you fanboi's are worse than teenage girls over Justin Bieber!!

You would actually start believeing that the General is some kind of Messiah, and he actually shits out gold nuggets!! He is but one man, but he's still not THE MAN, there is only one Supreme Ruler of Thailand, and some would do well to remember this.

This case has/had nothing to do with Prayuth, this was a case started in 2004 I believe, If the General is starting to show interest in "certain cases involving the old Regime" it simply adds more fuel to the fire that he's been conspiring with Suthep as claimed by him all along, and would not make him impartial at all, as he's also stated (The General that is )

The General is doing some good things, and on the surface they appear to be for the better, almost too good to be true, it's almsot a Democrat and PDRC supporters wet dream.

It's no secret that Prayuth had no fondness towards the PTP/UDD but he still has to tread carefully as opinions and view can change in a heartbeat and of course the entire country is "In a happy mood" they get detained if they're not toeing the party line.

Lets see some corruption cases involving some non Thaksin affiliated people be taken off the back burner, if people really believe that the General has brought this one to fruition.

Punish EVERYONE who is guilty of corruption, cut the cancer of corruption Thailand right out, regardless of who you are and what you are.

In the land of the blind, the one eyed beggar is the head man. While I am certainly aware that Prayuth is no saint, and most likely has a few skeletons rattling around in his closet, his actions over the last month have certainly proven he has the best interests of Thailand at heart. As far as being a PRDC wet dream, I cannot buy into that. He is simply doing what every intelligent Thai person and TV poster knows what needs to be done here to root out the cancer of corruption. And by all accounts doing it well. As far as your reference to the Supreme Ruler of Thailand, you would do well to read up on the absolute separation of the Monarchy from the day to day operations of the government....

[Bpuumike]

6 years and 12000 baht, bit on the light side financially, should have cleaned out his bank account but at least he was given jail. Lets hope this continues to all the other scammers that the ptp allowed to get away.

He might have been given a 6 year jail sentence but where is he right now?

[espinoza]

He got 6, six years, Thaksin got 2, two. Why do Thaksin not come back and do the time ???? Coward ?

[Roadman]

6 years and 12000 baht, bit on the light side financially, should have cleaned out his bank account but at least he was given jail. Lets hope this continues to all the other scammers that the ptp allowed to get away.

I'd like to go and visit in him jail. Which one is it again?

No need to look for his jail, apparently he is out on bail . Thai justice is a bit confusing to

me. In the real world, if you are charged with a crime, you post bail and fight the charges.

When you are found guilty, you go straight from the courthouse in your orange jumpsuit

to jail. Maybe even Prayuth cannot break the system here where the elites never really

go to jail..... No wonder they have no fear of breaking the law.

Reform of the justice system is on his agenda. Along with heavy political reform the failure for jail to mean "go directly to jail, do not post bail, do not collect your ฿200k" as you define is one of the first very areas that needs tidying up in the justice system. I suspect that watching this carry on right now will be adding fuel to the fire of reform.

[xminator]

He got 6, six years, Thaksin got 2, two. Why do Thaksin not come back and do the time ???? Coward ?

Do you really think the establishment would let him go after two years? He would either end up dead or they would install a revolving door to the justice system with cases lined up from here to his 100th birthday.

And here is the downside to facist rule. It might look legal, they damn sure are very keen on follow some book of laws, but it stinks to anyone that have their head screwed on straight. I will allow a microscopic chance for the big P on top to be white clean of any personal agenda, but there is no chance of everyone under him to have no such agenda and private schemes going on. This is afterall Thailand. And anyone fooling themselfs to think the "red" are any more corrupt then the establishment are just that, fools.

[Skywalker69]

How on earth did he think he'd get away with this? Dumber than a sack of rocks.

He can´t be dumb, his a friend to the genius him self, Thaksin.

Edited June 24, 2014 by Skywalker69

[Fat Haggis]

Some of you fanboi's are worse than teenage girls over Justin Bieber!!

You would actually start believeing that the General is some kind of Messiah, and he actually shits out gold nuggets!! He is but one man, but he's still not THE MAN, there is only one Supreme Ruler of Thailand, and some would do well to remember this.

This case has/had nothing to do with Prayuth, this was a case started in 2004 I believe, If the General is starting to show interest in "certain cases involving the old Regime" it simply adds more fuel to the fire that he's been conspiring with Suthep as claimed by him all along, and would not make him impartial at all, as he's also stated (The General that is )

The General is doing some good things, and on the surface they appear to be for the better, almost too good to be true, it's almsot a Democrat and PDRC supporters wet dream.

It's no secret that Prayuth had no fondness towards the PTP/UDD but he still has to tread carefully as opinions and view can change in a heartbeat and of course the entire country is "In a happy mood" they get detained if they're not toeing the party line.

Lets see some corruption cases involving some non Thaksin affiliated people be taken off the back burner, if people really believe that the General has brought this one to fruition.

Punish EVERYONE who is guilty of corruption, cut the cancer of corruption Thailand right out, regardless of who you are and what you are.

In the land of the blind, the one eyed beggar is the head man. While I am certainly aware that Prayuth is no saint, and most likely has a few skeletons rattling around in his closet, his actions over the last month have certainly proven he has the best interests of Thailand at heart. As far as being a PRDC wet dream, I cannot buy into that. He is simply doing what every intelligent Thai person and TV poster knows what needs to be done here to root out the cancer of corruption. And by all accounts doing it well. As far as your reference to the Supreme Ruler of Thailand, you would do well to read up on the absolute separation of the Monarchy from the day to day operations of the government....

There are none so blind as those who will not see

The reference to the wet dream is that The General has so far done EVERYTHING that Suthep was pushing for, even that one eyed beggar can see this

I totally agree that the corruption needs to be cut out, but it cannot be made a priority over the reforms of the courts and the judiciary and the system, simply because that would be putting the cart before the horse. You need to overhaul the courts, so that the punishments are in line with the crime, once the punishments have been set in stone, then begin the steps against the corruption.

If the courts and the system were overhauled, then perhaps this 2 years for doing a magicians act on 200M baht worth of Rice would be far more severe? The Thai courts are run by Judges, there's no jury's, if the judge on a particular case gets laid from his Mia Noi and eats a hearty breakfast and his mood is good, and his life is the best it ever has, these might, just might have an effect on the verdicts of the day, I believe it's a one man show as it is, he's the judge and the jury, and I dare say on the odd occasion the executioner too.

Get the establishment squared away first, have the penal procedures set in stone, and THEN go after the guilty ones, as right now, the Thai judicial system is a farce. Have the sentences based on the severity, not on what the judge feels like on the day

[chooka]

He will be the first of many many people to face justice for their part in

the rice scam. I never thought this day would come, I am happy beyond words.

Prayuth has done more for this country in one month than the " leaders"

have done in twenty years .But I guess when all your time is spent in

figuring out new ways to loot money from the government, must not be

a lot of time left over in help improve the lives of the common people...

Next up ??? The big fish, Yingluck.... Too bad Thaksin is beyond

the reach of the Thai courts, as I believe he is the one that set the

whole scam up.

A lot of different Governments, parties and Military coups have come and gone in those 20 years you refer too.

[BillyBobThai]

I am waiting for the day that Thaksin is brought back to Thailand in handcuffs. We could all get together in Bangkok for a hanging party and maybe a beheading if Mr Charlem (sp) is coming.

Edited June 24, 2014 by BillyBobThai

[Thailand]

I am waiting for the day that Thaksin is brought back to Thailand in handcuffs. We could all get together in Bangkok for a hanging party and maybe a beheading if Mr Charlem (sp) is coming.

Vigilante justice for you then!

I think you are in for a long wait though.

[webfact]

RICE SCHEME
"Sia Pieng" sentenced to six years in jail for fraud
The Nation


Apichat

BANGKOK: -- The Samut Prakan provincial court yesterday sentenced a rice businessman reportedly close to former PM Thaksin Shinawatra to six years in jail and fined him Bt12,000 after finding him guilty of embezzlement and fraud for his failure to deliver a Bt200-million broken-rice shipment to Iran.

The defendant, 50-year-old Apichat Chansakulporn, alias Sia Pieng, the managing director of the now-bankrupt President Agri Co, was prosecuted by the Office of the Attorney General on embezzlement charges.

The court was told the fraud took place when his company failed to deliver 20,000 tonnes of 5-per-cent broken rice to Iran in 2007.

President Agri Trading was Thailand's leading rice exporter during 2003-04, when Wattana Muangsuk was a minister of Commerce during the Thaksin Shinawatra administration. Apichat reportedly was close to Wattana and Thaksin.

During Watta-na's stint as commerce minister, President Agri won a bid for 1.79 million tonnes of rice from the government's stocks for export to Indonesia. It was one of the biggest quantities sold by the Commerce Ministry to a private rice exporter. Later, President Agri Trading went bankrupt in 2010.

Apichat was allegedly associated with Siam Indica, a company that secured some rice deals from the Yingluck Shinawatra government as well. The court said the defendant had violated the contract signed with the Commerce Ministry and embezzled the rice, which his company was contracted to deliver to Iran.

Samut Prakan provincial court chief justice Awirut Chanchai-kittikorn said that as the managing director of President Agri Co, Apichat had sole authority in carrying out the company's business transactions. His defence that he had no intention to commit the offences carried no weight.

Awirut said Foreign Trade Department director-general, Apiradee Tantraporn had also testified that Apichat had contracted with the department to "rebuild" the rice.

The Commerce Ministry had entered into a government-to-government contract to sell 5 per cent broken rice to Iran. Apichat's company was allowed to rebuild 10 per cent [add a higher grade] of the broken rice to the 5 per cent broken rice being shipped to Iran.

In the rice industry, exporters employed to rebuild rice will earn margins from the price difference between the two grades of rice.

Sia Pieng twice failed to rebuild and ship the rice at the port, which led to the Thai government being fined and its deposits confiscated by Iran. The embezzlement and fraud offences carry three years imprisonment each. The court also ordered Apichat to deliver the rice to the damaged party. Sia Pieng denied the charges and deposited Bt2 million in assets to be granted bail. He has appealed against his sentence.

Sia Pieng was earlier revealed by former Democrat MP Warong Dechgitvigrom as the key man behind the rice-pledging scheme, who had travelled to China several times with Thaksin.

The Thailand Development Research Institute has exposed corruption in the rice-pledging scheme, with estimated losses in the past two years exceeding Bt450 billion.


-- The Nation 2014-06-25

[selftaopath]

He will be the first of many many people to face justice for their part in

the rice scam. I never thought this day would come, I am happy beyond words.

Prayuth has done more for this country in one month than the " leaders"

have done in twenty years .But I guess when all your time is spent in

figuring out new ways to loot money from the government, must not be

a lot of time left over in help improve the lives of the common people...

Next up ??? The big fish, Yingluck.... Too bad Thaksin is beyond

the reach of the Thai courts, as I believe he is the one that set the

whole scam up.

The general is certainly bring Rule of Law to Lack of Sanctions (LOS).

I'm amazed "square head" has not been taken out of the equation long ago. Considering he is part ? Chinese a Chinese solution to his corrupt ways would be fitting? Humnnnnn.

[jaidam]

Interesting to read this morning that this scrote is also closely linked to one Siam Indica. Keen readers of TVF will remember this company as it is owned by amart rougists Arisman and his wife and detailed documents of their rice plundering were shown in parliament. The link between the desert rat and Apichat is becoming ever more clear. I'm sure it was only yesterday I was reading frantic denials this is "nothing to do with" Thaksin. LOL

[BrooklynNY]

I read the news from "t news Thailand" written that the man is 57 years old. He looks more of 57 years old than 50 years old.

The news detail written that his company was to pay fine for only 12,000 THB. What a bargain !!.

Edited June 25, 2014 by BrooklynNY

[johnlandy]

Som nam naa you cheating slag!!! Another red cheat where he belongs!!

Yes indeed but the sentence is too light, should have been 15 - 20 and lose the key.

Teach the red scum a lesson.

I believe this coup is the best thing ever to occur in the realm.

[Manbing]

It's not fair to impune Yingluck for her travel requirements whilst she was PM. Travel was necessary a a few reasons.
1. Take advice from the real leader, who for various reasons can visit here right now.
2. Shopping
3. Not be present to make obvious gaffe.

Thank you thank you thank you

[gchurch259]

How on earth did he think he'd get away with this? Dumber than a sack of rocks.

I guess if you are in the back pocket of "Dubai Dude" you think you can get away with it. And, if people think this is a light sentence, what about said "Dude" getting two years from much worse deed.