Thai rice scandal: More rice missing from storage

[webfact]

RICE SCANDAL
More rice missing from storage
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- MILITARY OFFICIALS yesterday continued to inspect state rice stockpiles stored in provincial granaries and again found evidence that large quantities were missing or in poor condition.

The rice inspection follows the junta's order two weeks ago to close all granaries nationwide in a bid to check the size and quality of the stockpiles.

Granaries at Pathum Thani province were among several facing closer checks.

"After finding 90,000 sacks of missing rice at [Pathum Thani] granaries, I have ordered officials to investigate more thoroughly into reasons for the missing rice today," said Deputy National Police Chief Pol General Ake Angsananont.

In Phitchit, officials, after inspecting three rice granaries, found more than 200,000 sacks of rice (or 20,000 tonnes) could not be accounted for. A sack contains 100 kilograms of rice.

Inspection of granaries at Sirichai Intertrade found only 13,123 sacks of 5 per cent broken white rice in storage, compared to 214,196 sacks listed. However, some rice stored at the granaries had been marked for delivery to buyers and the stocks were closed to inspectors. Another check on granaries belonging to KTB Agro found records for 13,986 tonnes of 5 per cent broken white rice from the season crop of 2013/14 stored under the rice-pledging scheme. But inspectors could find only 8,928 tonnes, most of them broken rice.

More inspections

A third granary will be inspected again today after it was found several rows of rice stored there had collapsed.

In Lampun, officials hoped to resume an inspection begun on July 4 after discovering the type of rice in storage was not the same as that listed on the records. The inspection team yesterday was not able to unlock the granary door, as a surveyor did not show up. According to the data, 3,854 tonnes of rice were delivered to the granary during June 13 and again on October 31, 2013.

Inspection of a granary in Uthai Thani, which belongs to Suwan Thanyakij Agriculture Mill, did not uncover anything unusual. It found 290,000 sacks of mainly 5 per cent broken white rice.

However, "after inspecting rice for three days, they found broken stock of an unusual colour which could not be explained", said an official.

At Surin, rice inspectors have been divided into four teams to check 101 granaries containing 8.3 million sacks. On this third day they had not found anything unusual about these stocks.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/More-rice-missing-from-storage-30237875.html

-- The Nation 2014-07-07

[lostsoul49]

Ho ho ho...

The noose is tightening and tightening as every day passes and they haven't even scratched the surface yet.

The NACC has already got enough evidence to hang Yingluck and several key PTP ministers, but let's see the exact scale of this scam that they pleaded had no corruption going on.

The lost money must be absolutely phenomenal,and I can see they are going to have to build at least one brand new prison to hold all these crooks once this is all summed up.

I hope and pray Yingluck gets 20 years inside for this. She deserves every day of a sentence like that.... I don't give a damn what anyone says... they all knew this was happening. It only takes one to blow the whistle to save his own arse.

[ikurauni]

The rice was either stolen or never brought in. The Thaksin clan might know the truth.

The criminals should be punished. Junta has been doing great jobs. Good luck Thailand!

[siampolee]

Certainly sems as if there is a certain amount of creativity in tallying up the amountof rice in stock along with the control on the ''transportation'' of said rice which seems to have been a trifle sloopy as well.

Indeed it would seem as those in charge of this particular scam scheme to benefit those known or unknown have performed in a passable manner and plainly achieved a degree with distinction concerning the uinsophicated art of corruption.

One is lnclined to wonder how this matter can be defended now by those staunch defenders of the previous administartion when as many of us have been saying since the scam scheme was instigated that the scam scheme was indeed a farce which is now been proven with rotten rice along with broken stock of an unusual colour which could not be explained", said an official along with rice that appears to have gone ''walkabout."

.

Edited July 6, 2014 by siampolee

[davehowden]

Gosh, it must be really difficult to identify the storage facility owner and prosecute him/ her?

Maybe their T shirt is not red so big problem!!

[ChrisY1]

290000 bags missing and it's only day 4 of the audit.....gonna be some twitching sphincters this week!

[chainarong]

Keep looking and while the boys are looking , keep on the money trace trail in the bank accounts, all tedious work , the end result could be interesting.

[Robby nz]

Gosh, it must be really difficult to identify the storage facility owner and prosecute him/ her?

Maybe their T shirt is not red so big problem!!

Try to understand that they are not there to prosecute anyone.

They are doing an inspection which is only in the 4th day and will probably take the rest of the month.

The results will then be compiled and sent on to the relevant authorities (NACC, Police ETC) for action.

It will then be up to them to determine culpability and lay charges.

[sscsamui]

Ho ho ho...

The noose is tightening and tightening as every day passes and they haven't even scratched the surface yet.

The NACC has already got enough evidence to hang Yingluck and several key PTP ministers, but let's see the exact scale of this scam that they pleaded had no corruption going on.

The lost money must be absolutely phenomenal,and I can see they are going to have to build at least one brand new prison to hold all these crooks once this is all summed up.

I hope and pray Yingluck gets 20 years inside for this. She deserves every day of a sentence like that.... I don't give a damn what anyone says... they all knew this was happening. It only takes one to blow the whistle to save his own arse.

I agree with you fully. Hope Yingluck and her PTP Lackey's Fry...

[SABloke]

One is lnclined to wonder how this matter can be defended now by those staunch defenders of the previous administartion when as many of us have been saying since the scam scheme was instigated that the scam scheme was indeed a farce which is now been proven with rotten rice along with broken stock of an unusual colour which could not be explained", said an official along with rice that appears to have gone ''walkabout."

.

Oh, they'll carry on defending. Probably something along the lines of, ''Yingluck and PTP were victims-they were deceived by the warehouse operators and when they did inspections they were using fake Chinese calculators hence the inaccurate figures...blah blah blah''

[ClutchClark]

If I was a rice farmer getting screwed like these farmers were and I had farm loans and I needed to finance next seasons crop, I would have taken as much of what was technically still my rice from any warehouse I could find.

Why is it assumed farmers did not take some of the missing rice stockpiles?

Who could blame them?

And before the accusations fly--I am apolitical and I fully believe much of the rice was fraudulently taken by individuals with no right to it.

Cheers

Edited July 7, 2014 by ClutchClark

[Robby nz]

There also needs to be a check on just what each farmer has sold to which mill and what they received for that sale.

When they sold the rice they were given a paper from the mill that detailed what grade of rice they had sold, the quantity and the price they were to be paid for that sale.

This amounted to a check for the sale that was to be presented at the BACC as the Govt rep which was handling the payments.

As there was only one bank involved it should have all the records of exactly how much rice each farmer sold and how much they were paid for that rice, therefor all the records of how much rice went into the scheme are in one place and should not be difficult to access.

That will show how much money has actually got to farmers and if they want to take it farther to which farmers.

Among other things it can also be seen if a farmer sold rice more than once in a harvest, as per the already prosecuted miller and farmers in the "In the front door, out the back then in the front again" case.

Each mill should also have corresponding records and records of what was passed on to warehouses after milling which will show the loss from the milling process and what went to which warehouse.

The warehouses should also have corresponding receipts as well as records of what has gone out.

Big paper trail that will take a while to follow. particularly if there is a bit of "the dog ate my homework" involved.

[Zpete]

"After finding 90,000 sacks of missing rice at [Pathum Thani] granaries, I have ordered officials to investigate more thoroughly into reasons for the missing rice today," said Deputy National Police Chief Pol General Ake Angsananont.

So they found missing rice?

Seems odd to me.

Edited July 7, 2014 by metisdead
Oversize font reset to normal.

[Robby nz]

If I was a rice farmer getting screwed like these farmers were and I had farm loans and I needed to finance next seasons crop, I would have taken as much of what was technically still my rice from any warehouse I could find.

Why is it assumed farmers did not take some of the missing rice stockpiles?

Who could blame them?

And before the accusations fly--I am apolitical and I fully believe much of the rice was fraudulently taken by individuals with no right to it.

Cheers

If the farmers had done that what do you think they were going to do with it ?

They have no way to either store or sell tons of rice, just not possible.

And how were they going to identify their rice after it had been milled and stored with everyone elses in a warehouse ?

[WilliamCave]

I think in my own opinion it is coming to light and the farmers who suffered so long from the PTP and the Taksin empire

That thaksin empire might just come down this time

I don't thing the bullies that worked for him are willing to confront the military

And seems the millitary is winning ground slowly but still gaining ground on the thaksin empire

My point is the support from the farmers and his voters now realize what thaksin empire has done to them

This is the big impact I think

Only my opinion

[selftaopath]

Ho ho ho...

The noose is tightening and tightening as every day passes and they haven't even scratched the surface yet.

The NACC has already got enough evidence to hang Yingluck and several key PTP ministers, but let's see the exact scale of this scam that they pleaded had no corruption going on.

The lost money must be absolutely phenomenal,and I can see they are going to have to build at least one brand new prison to hold all these crooks once this is all summed up.

I hope and pray Yingluck gets 20 years inside for this. She deserves every day of a sentence like that.... I don't give a damn what anyone says... they all knew this was happening. It only takes one to blow the whistle to save his own arse.

Oh how I agree with you. However TIT and sanctions are not readily served. Are they? I doubt many of the guilty will be imprisoned.

I wonder if the rice was ever delivered. Isn't it possible some greedy/unscrupulous farmers might have made a deal re: selling rice - without delivering - for a fraction of baht they would get if there was an actual delivery of goods????? Humn.. Do I think this inconceivable? TIT so no I don't.

If the junta really wants to show sincerity a/b change and reform, jail all guilty parties. Perhaps then we'll see reform along with significant changes in typical Thai way of doing things.

If there is no punishment there is no crime. What we allow we condone.

[ClutchClark]

If I was a rice farmer getting screwed like these farmers were and I had farm loans and I needed to finance next seasons crop, I would have taken as much of what was technically still my rice from any warehouse I could find.

Why is it assumed farmers did not take some of the missing rice stockpiles?

Who could blame them?

And before the accusations fly--I am apolitical and I fully believe much of the rice was fraudulently taken by individuals with no right to it.

Cheers

If the farmers had done that what do you think they were going to do with it ?

They have no way to either store or sell tons of rice, just not possible.

And how were they going to identify their rice after it had been milled and stored with everyone elses in a warehouse ?

Robby, I am not saying they took back their own rice. I don't know what means they had to sell it.

All I was saying is I have read rice is missing. I have read people blaming different parties...rightfully so.

I only wondered if farmers might have taken some of it--because in their shoes, I would have. Because in their shoes, I would have dine whatever is necessary to keep up my farm payments and been ready to plant this seasons crop.

Thats all.

[ClutchClark]

Ho ho ho...

The noose is tightening and tightening as every day passes and they haven't even scratched the surface yet.

The NACC has already got enough evidence to hang Yingluck and several key PTP ministers, but let's see the exact scale of this scam that they pleaded had no corruption going on.

The lost money must be absolutely phenomenal,and I can see they are going to have to build at least one brand new prison to hold all these crooks once this is all summed up.

I hope and pray Yingluck gets 20 years inside for this. She deserves every day of a sentence like that.... I don't give a damn what anyone says... they all knew this was happening. It only takes one to blow the whistle to save his own arse.

Oh how I agree with you. However TIT and sanctions are not readily served. Are they? I doubt many of the guilty will be imprisoned.

I wonder if the rice was ever delivered. Isn't it possible some greedy/unscrupulous farmers might have made a deal re: selling rice - without delivering - for a fraction of baht they would get if there was an actual delivery of goods????? Humn.. Do I think this inconceivable? TIT so no I don't.

If the junta really wants to show sincerity a/b change and reform, jail all guilty parties. Perhaps then we'll see reform along with significant changes in typical Thai way of doing things.

If there is no punishment there is no crime. What we allow we condone.

To be clear, I am not in any way saying farmers have acted unscrupulously.

What you are suggesting is ridiculous. No one is going to give a receipt to farmers for rice not delivered.

I support the farmers. The farmers are the victims here.

Edited July 7, 2014 by ClutchClark

[EyesWideOpen]

Happy news.... Because if the rice is missing, the military can do some simple

bookkeeping , figure out where the money is, and claw it back just before they

throw the person in jail. If it was only piles of accounted for rotting rice, not much

they can do about that. As the mind boggling scope of this scam comes to light,

no wonder Yingluck was fighting so hard to stay in office, and no wonder they
were pushing so hard for the transportation bill. They needed the skim from that

bill to cover up the rice scam ,and stay in office a few more years. Looks like

Prayuth came to power just in time.... :-)

[EyesWideOpen]

Ho ho ho...

The noose is tightening and tightening as every day passes and they haven't even scratched the surface yet.

The NACC has already got enough evidence to hang Yingluck and several key PTP ministers, but let's see the exact scale of this scam that they pleaded had no corruption going on.

The lost money must be absolutely phenomenal,and I can see they are going to have to build at least one brand new prison to hold all these crooks once this is all summed up.

I hope and pray Yingluck gets 20 years inside for this. She deserves every day of a sentence like that.... I don't give a damn what anyone says... they all knew this was happening. It only takes one to blow the whistle to save his own arse.

Oh how I agree with you. However TIT and sanctions are not readily served. Are they? I doubt many of the guilty will be imprisoned.

I wonder if the rice was ever delivered. Isn't it possible some greedy/unscrupulous farmers might have made a deal re: selling rice - without delivering - for a fraction of baht they would get if there was an actual delivery of goods????? Humn.. Do I think this inconceivable? TIT so no I don't.

If the junta really wants to show sincerity a/b change and reform, jail all guilty parties. Perhaps then we'll see reform along with significant changes in typical Thai way of doing things.

If there is no punishment there is no crime. What we allow we condone.

To be clear, I am not in any way saying farmers have acted unscrupulously.

What you are suggesting is ridiculous. No one is going to give a receipt to farmers for rice not delivered.

I support the farmers. The farmers are the victims here

Agreed. It appears to me that the mills simply generated false invoices for rice that

was never received, and then handed those to the government. Do not see how the

farmers can possibly be involved. Besides the first warehouse they raided with the

wall of rice bags and nothing behind it clearly shows the millers are in this up to their

necks...

[ezzra]

When this counting will be complete, it will reveal that the rice theft and swindle on a mega

basis probably the biggest in Thailand history and will dwarf all other scandals,

the question is, who is going to watch the rice's stock piles from now on? who can they trust?

IS THERE ANY HONST PERSON LEFT IN THAINLAD NOT TAINETED BY MONEY OR

POWER? IS THERE????

[smedly]

The rice was either stolen or never brought in. The Thaksin clan might know the truth. The criminals should be punished. Junta has been doing great jobs. Good luck Thailand!

well you actually said the right words but just slightly missed the obvious

The rice was paid for by the government - never brought in then also sold - cheaper rice was also brought in from the likes of Cambodia, you also had G2G deals that didn't exist - the list is endless

and people wondered why PTP refused to step down

why they were trying to push through an of budget loan of over 2 trillion baht

why they constantly told lies to divert and deceive

and last but not least - why the farmers were not paid from September last year

When this is all done and dusted (like I said previously many times) it will be revealed as the largest theft of public money ever seen in Thailand - and to top that it was perpetrated by the sitting government and the redshirt leaders in combination - masterminded by Thaksin

Next will be the hunt for the 800 billion baht that has been stolen

[Ricardo]

Gosh, it must be really difficult to identify the storage facility owner and prosecute him/ her?

Maybe their T shirt is not red so big problem!!

One can only hope that the culprits are able to be identified, and will be prosecuted, and the full moneys reclaimed, regardless of the colours of their T-shirts !

No Double Standards !

[EyesWideOpen]

In order to finally destroy Thaksin's power forever, Prayuth simply needs to fully

expose this scam. And when he does that, the Isan farmers will hate Thaksin.

Historically in Thailand, as each new group of people line up at the feeding trough,

they would reveal a bit of corruption from the previous group of people at the

feeding trough. But they never really punished the previous group, because they knew in

the future they would be in the same position after they finished their looting.

I would like to see this stopped, and people face actual punishment for their

looting. Then and ONLY then will it be stopped. Now it is like a joke here, with

power people seemingly never facing punishment for anything. I sincerely hope

that Prayuth will put an end to that.....

[rebelplatoon]

Surprised that everyone sounds surprised.

A scam from the start.

[rametindallas]

If I was a rice farmer getting screwed like these farmers were and I had farm loans and I needed to finance next seasons crop, I would have taken as much of what was technically still my rice from any warehouse I could find.

Why is it assumed farmers did not take some of the missing rice stockpiles?

Who could blame them?

And before the accusations fly--I am apolitical and I fully believe much of the rice was fraudulently taken by individuals with no right to it.

Cheers

Why is it assumed farmers did not take some of the missing rice stockpiles?

Because, it the farmer took his rice back, and there was not procedure in place to do that, it would be theft and the warehouse manager or owner or rice mill owner would have reported the theft to the police. The newspapers would have made a big story out of it. Face it. The whole scheme was corrupt in its inception and designed to rape the taxpayer. Please don't try to shift any of the blame to the farmer.

[bassman]

There also needs to be a check on just what each farmer has sold to which mill and what they received for that sale.

When they sold the rice they were given a paper from the mill that detailed what grade of rice they had sold, the quantity and the price they were to be paid for that sale.

This amounted to a check for the sale that was to be presented at the BACC as the Govt rep which was handling the payments.

As there was only one bank involved it should have all the records of exactly how much rice each farmer sold and how much they were paid for that rice, therefor all the records of how much rice went into the scheme are in one place and should not be difficult to access.

That will show how much money has actually got to farmers and if they want to take it farther to which farmers.

Among other things it can also be seen if a farmer sold rice more than once in a harvest, as per the already prosecuted miller and farmers in the "In the front door, out the back then in the front again" case.

Each mill should also have corresponding records and records of what was passed on to warehouses after milling which will show the loss from the milling process and what went to which warehouse.

The warehouses should also have corresponding receipts as well as records of what has gone out.

Big paper trail that will take a while to follow. particularly if there is a bit of "the dog ate my homework" involved.

Agreed...and would be real good if they brought in an independent auditing firm for the accounting, like Price Waterhouse Cooper or similar internationally recognized company.

[rametindallas]

"After finding 90,000 sacks of missing rice at [Pathum Thani] granaries, I have ordered officials to investigate more thoroughly into reasons for the missing rice today," said Deputy National Police Chief Pol General Ake Angsananont.

So they found missing rice?

Seems odd to me.

After finding that 90,000 sacks of rice were missing at [Pathum Thani] granaries

There, fixed it for you.

[anon467848]

"In Lampun, officials hoped to resume an inspection begun on July 4 after discovering the type of rice in storage was not the same as that listed on the records. The inspection team yesterday was not able to unlock the granary door, as a surveyor did not show up."

That's a pretty lame excuse, they could have used bolt cutters or an angle grinder. Somebody was obviously stalling for time....

[romanovhawk]

The stupid red shirts that have been governing this country for the lasty20 years have been like maggots and stolen the wealth of this country in one way or another. Thank god they have all gone to hell