Thai warehouses and silos must follow code of conduct: Permanent Secretary PM's Office

[webfact]

Permanent Secretary Prime Minister's Office:Warehouses and Silos must follow code of conduct

BANGKOK, 14 July 2014(NNT)-The Permanent Secretary of the Prime Minister’s office has ordered all warehouses and silos to follow the defining code of conduct, while the office itself is gearing up to maintain the quality of rice.

In the recent inspections, there were indications that several rice sacks had been gutted. All the warehouses and silos which received pledged rice must tighten their security measures and ensure high standards are maintained.

ML Panadda Diskul, Permanent Secretary of the Prime Minister's Office, said that all warehouses and silos in the country are to follow the code of conduct strictly and maintain appropriate standards in safeguarding the large stock of rice. The Code of Conduct is intended to ensure high standards fully apply in stocking grain.

The code promotes best practice and is a detailed guide to the warehouse and silo provider who must observe regulations and procedures relating to the merchandising, inspection, grading, weighing, storing and handling of grain and other commodities.

The warehouses and silos must be rodent-free. Stores must be kept clean at all times including during the storage operation. Walls and roofs must be free of cobwebs, dampness, condensation or mould. The immediate surroundings of stores must also be kept clean and free of weeds and debris.

Pallets, building materials, etc. should be kept in clearly defined places away from storage areas to avoid providing refuge for rodents and insects. Other buildings on the site should be kept clean for the same reason. The labeling must be specific and clearly written.


-- NNT 2014-07-14

[Robby nz]

Possibly someone should have told them that a couple or three years back and enforced it.

[lostsoul49]

It's quite simple really.

You bill the warehouse for all lost stock, whether missing or degraded.

If they don't have the money, seize ownership of the warehouse.

[jcisco]

It's quite simple really.

You bill the warehouse for all lost stock, whether missing or degraded.

If they don't have the money, seize ownership of the warehouse.

On what planet do TV posters get their idea of how an effective legal framework and environment work? Seize this, arrest them, do this do that.... civil and criminal just becomes ones and then the abuse and corruption can really begin.

I mean what a wonderful world to be in power when this idea of enforcement is in play.

[fab4]

Possibly someone should have told them that a couple or three years back and enforced it.

The Code of Conduct has been in place since 2010 (http://www.acfs.go.th/standard/download/eng/GMP_rice_mill.pdf) so the Warehouse and Silo owners have no excuse that they were not aware of the best practises for storing rice.

[FangFerang]

There never has been and never will be a sustained monitoring of rice stockpiles. Too many pockets have been lined for almost two generations now....

[Halion]

Shutting the stable door.. again, when the horse has bolted... again.

Without adequate supervision and enforcement and severe penalties for non compliance this article falls into the realm of wishful thinking and mere propaganda. There are building a cage with no bars.

[ratcatcher]

If anyone's following the TV news and the ongoing investigations regarding missing rice, they will have seen the extensive scaffolding systems used at some warehouses where sacks are piled metres high around an empty space.

Of course, a few months ago we were assured by the PTP caretakers, (misnomer if ever there was one), that all was well, no bugs, no rot, no spoiled rice, all was well in Riceland. Buyers would be beating down the doors to order.

Well, the military and their assistants have certainly opened an enormous can of weevils with this one.

I think Yingluck is the lesser of these two weevils

[Thai at Heart]

If anyone's following the TV news and the ongoing investigations regarding missing rice, they will have seen the extensive scaffolding systems used at some warehouses where sacks are piled metres high around an empty space.

Of course, a few months ago we were assured by the PTP caretakers, (misnomer if ever there was one), that all was well, no bugs, no rot, no spoiled rice, all was well in Riceland. Buyers would be beating down the doors to order.

Well, the military and their assistants have certainly opened an enormous can of weevils with this one.

scaff.jpgrice_weevils.jpg

ts.jpg ys.jpg

I think Yingluck is the lesser of these two weevils

Whilst its a nice catchphrase, I think you might find that the "extensive" use of scaffolding, extends to one warehouse, and possibly only one stack.

[dcutman]

Possibly someone should have told them that a couple or three years back and enforced it.

The Code of Conduct has been in place since 2010 (http://www.acfs.go.th/standard/download/eng/GMP_rice_mill.pdf) so the Warehouse and Silo owners have no excuse that they were not aware of the best practises for storing rice.

So you are saying the PTP Govt did not enforce this code of conduct? Did not conduct proper and thorough inspections, one would even say lied about many inspections that where supposed to be completed with the news we hear today?

Even though all the while warehouse storage (for rice and rubber) space increase 4 fold during their abbreviated term

[Thai at Heart]

Possibly someone should have told them that a couple or three years back and enforced it.

The Code of Conduct has been in place since 2010 (http://www.acfs.go.th/standard/download/eng/GMP_rice_mill.pdf) so the Warehouse and Silo owners have no excuse that they were not aware of the best practises for storing rice.

So you are saying the PTP Govt did not enforce this code of conduct? Did not conduct proper and thorough inspections, one would even say lied about many inspections that where supposed to be completed with the news we hear today?

Even though all the while warehouse storage (for rice and rubber) space increase 4 fold during their abbreviated term

Actually, this piece of paper, will allow some level of breach of contract to be levelled at the warehouse owners.

I would be puckering up quite quickly if I had allowed 10's of millions of baht of product to get damaged under my roof. This said, if the product needs fumigating, who pays? The warehouse company or the govt? If they need an army of people to clean the place. Who pays?

[fab4]

Possibly someone should have told them that a couple or three years back and enforced it.

The Code of Conduct has been in place since 2010 (http://www.acfs.go.th/standard/download/eng/GMP_rice_mill.pdf) so the Warehouse and Silo owners have no excuse that they were not aware of the best practises for storing rice.

So you are saying the PTP Govt did not enforce this code of conduct? Did not conduct proper and thorough inspections, one would even say lied about many inspections that where supposed to be completed with the news we hear today?

Even though all the while warehouse storage (for rice and rubber) space increase 4 fold during their abbreviated term

If you had read the link I provided you would have found out that the Code of Practice was "promulgated by Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives to be used as guidelines for the development of rice production system at the farm level" and that it was a "voluntary standard in accordance with the Agricultural Standards Act B.E. 2551 (2008) to promote such agricultural commodity to meet its standard on quality and safety."

If you're that desperate to find a stick to beat the PTP with, fill your boots.

[Cuchulainn]

.......If you're that desperate to find a stick to beat the PTP with, fill your boots......

They're more than capable of destroying themselves.

[bkkstooge]

Possibly someone should have told them that a couple or three years back and enforced it.

The Code of Conduct has been in place since 2010 (http://www.acfs.go.th/standard/download/eng/GMP_rice_mill.pdf) so the Warehouse and Silo owners have no excuse that they were not aware of the best practises for storing rice.

So you are saying the PTP Govt did not enforce this code of conduct? Did not conduct proper and thorough inspections, one would even say lied about many inspections that where supposed to be completed with the news we hear today?

Even though all the while warehouse storage (for rice and rubber) space increase 4 fold during their abbreviated term

If you had read the link I provided you would have found out that the Code of Practice was "promulgated by Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives to be used as guidelines for the development of rice production system at the farm level" and that it was a "voluntary standard in accordance with the Agricultural Standards Act B.E. 2551 (2008) to promote such agricultural commodity to meet its standard on quality and safety."

If you're that desperate to find a stick to beat the PTP with, fill your boots.

and there is a wide selection of sticks too choose from

[Robby nz]

Possibly someone should have told them that a couple or three years back and enforced it.

The Code of Conduct has been in place since 2010 (http://www.acfs.go.th/standard/download/eng/GMP_rice_mill.pdf) so the Warehouse and Silo owners have no excuse that they were not aware of the best practises for storing rice.

Tell us who didn't bother to enforce that code ?

Could it have been the responsibility of the chair of the rice policy committee ?

[Thai at Heart]

Possibly someone should have told them that a couple or three years back and enforced it.

The Code of Conduct has been in place since 2010 (http://www.acfs.go.th/standard/download/eng/GMP_rice_mill.pdf) so the Warehouse and Silo owners have no excuse that they were not aware of the best practises for storing rice.

Tell us who didn't bother to enforce that code ?

Could it have been the responsibility of the chair of the rice policy committee ?

Well, I would imagine it to be a bit more the other way round, If you undertake to store the tobacco, you have to comply with the rules inside, and if you don't you can be sued.

So technically, the inspectors now, can find all these warehouses where the stuff got wet, fell over, got damaged and got utterly infested with bugs, and sue the warehouse owners for damage. Lets see if they do it.

[ratcatcher]

.......If you're that desperate to find a stick to beat the PTP with, fill your boots......

They're more than capable of destroying themselves.

"....capable of destroying themselves."

Didn't they already do that some months ago along with their credibility?

[Robby nz]

The Code of Conduct has been in place since 2010 (http://www.acfs.go.th/standard/download/eng/GMP_rice_mill.pdf) so the Warehouse and Silo owners have no excuse that they were not aware of the best practises for storing rice.

Tell us who didn't bother to enforce that code ?

Could it have been the responsibility of the chair of the rice policy committee ?

Well, I would imagine it to be a bit more the other way round, If you undertake to store the tobacco, you have to comply with the rules inside, and if you don't you can be sued.

So technically, the inspectors now, can find all these warehouses where the stuff got wet, fell over, got damaged and got utterly infested with bugs, and sue the warehouse owners for damage. Lets see if they do it.

Fine from now on but what about the so called inspections that were supposed to have taken place in the past as per ?

Minister Yanyong visited the NACC on Wednesday to submit a letter asserting that inspections of the rice stock in warehouses, carried out in March by Ministry of Commerce officials and members of the rice stock inspection committee, found that the entire 18.7 million tons of rice was intact and another 1.1 million tons was being fumigated.

Why did they not find and rectify any problems then and in any previous inspections, if any ?

If as has been suggested the code was only voluntary then should there not have been some onus on those who were supposed to be managing the scheme to ensure the code was enforced and the rice was kept in good order and condition ?

They have just sacked the rail boss for what an employee did so should those in charge of the rice scheme not also be held responsible for the actions or inactions of someone they have employed to do a job for them.

Yes I know rape and murder can not be compared but the principal of responsibility can.

[Thai at Heart]

The Code of Conduct has been in place since 2010 (http://www.acfs.go.th/standard/download/eng/GMP_rice_mill.pdf) so the Warehouse and Silo owners have no excuse that they were not aware of the best practises for storing rice.

Tell us who didn't bother to enforce that code ?

Could it have been the responsibility of the chair of the rice policy committee ?

Well, I would imagine it to be a bit more the other way round, If you undertake to store the tobacco, you have to comply with the rules inside, and if you don't you can be sued.

So technically, the inspectors now, can find all these warehouses where the stuff got wet, fell over, got damaged and got utterly infested with bugs, and sue the warehouse owners for damage. Lets see if they do it.

Fine from now on but what about the so called inspections that were supposed to have taken place in the past as per ?

Minister Yanyong visited the NACC on Wednesday to submit a letter asserting that inspections of the rice stock in warehouses, carried out in March by Ministry of Commerce officials and members of the rice stock inspection committee, found that the entire 18.7 million tons of rice was intact and another 1.1 million tons was being fumigated.

Why did they not find and rectify any problems then and in any previous inspections, if any ?

If as has been suggested the code was only voluntary then should there not have been some onus on those who were supposed to be managing the scheme to ensure the code was enforced and the rice was kept in good order and condition ?

They have just sacked the rail boss for what an employee did so should those in charge of the rice scheme not also be held responsible for the actions or inactions of someone they have employed to do a job for them.

Yes I know rape and murder can not be compared but the principal of responsibility can.

Voluntary code. Well s**t in a handbasket.

General quality drop due to ageing is normal. Some amount of bug damage is normal. As long as the stuff is kept clean and dry, and fumigated every 6 months, it should stay sellable for a couple of years.

Where the responsibility sits, I have no idea. Who locally should be responsible for the quality of the storage and auditing? The agriculture ministry on a local level? I don't know. At a level I can't see who would be responsible other than the local warehouse owner. If under his supervision, the stuff gets damaged beyond use, he's liable.

[dcutman]

Possibly someone should have told them that a couple or three years back and enforced it.

The Code of Conduct has been in place since 2010 (http://www.acfs.go.th/standard/download/eng/GMP_rice_mill.pdf) so the Warehouse and Silo owners have no excuse that they were not aware of the best practises for storing rice.

So you are saying the PTP Govt did not enforce this code of conduct? Did not conduct proper and thorough inspections, one would even say lied about many inspections that where supposed to be completed with the news we hear today?

Even though all the while warehouse storage (for rice and rubber) space increase 4 fold during their abbreviated term

If you had read the link I provided you would have found out that the Code of Practice was "promulgated by Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives to be used as guidelines for the development of rice production system at the farm level" and that it was a "voluntary standard in accordance with the Agricultural Standards Act B.E. 2551 (2008) to promote such agricultural commodity to meet its standard on quality and safety."

If you're that desperate to find a stick to beat the PTP with, fill your boots.

Good attempt to avoid answering the question, as usual.

I will ask the question in a different way then.

Did or did not the Yingluck govt. vow to buy every grain of rice available in Thailand and store it until world prices rose?

Would not a policy such as that require said govt to take extra care, and assure these guidelines set by the ministry of Ag. were followed to the letter? Of course that would be accomplished through constant spot inspections.

In fact, would it not have been prudent of the Chairperson of the rice committee , controlling the vast majority of rice in Thailand, to make mandatory, standards in the storage of the rice, as to keep the quality as high as possible?

Edited July 14, 2014 by dcutman

[rametindallas]

This rice belongs to the Thai public. The conditions the rice was being stored in is more proof, as if more was needed, of the total disregard/disdain the Yingluck Thaksin government, who were the caretakers of the rice stocks, held the Thai people. That the current government has to remind the warehouse/silo managers/owners of their responsibility shows how the previous government, and their cronies, had only one goal with this scheme: personal enrichment. I'm hoping they did not/could not completely cover their money trails so that the guilty can be punished. This will, most likely, turn out to be the most costly scandal in the history of 'democratic' Thailand.

Many that are close to Thaksin are currently not allowed to travel abroad. Many of those folk are petitioning the NCPO for permission to go to Paris to attend Thaksin's birthday celebration. Any that are allowed to leave will never return (think Thaksin visiting the Olympics). It is 'Thainess' to let them self-exile rather than put on a lengthy trial (with numerous and lengthy appeals) and send them to prison. I sincerely hope the NCPO will not allow even one of them to leave. Thaksin and his co-conspirators don't play by the rules of Thainess and neither should the NCPO.

[rubl]

Possibly someone should have told them that a couple or three years back and enforced it.

The Code of Conduct has been in place since 2010 (http://www.acfs.go.th/standard/download/eng/GMP_rice_mill.pdf) so the Warehouse and Silo owners have no excuse that they were not aware of the best practises for storing rice.

So you are saying the PTP Govt did not enforce this code of conduct? Did not conduct proper and thorough inspections, one would even say lied about many inspections that where supposed to be completed with the news we hear today?

Even though all the while warehouse storage (for rice and rubber) space increase 4 fold during their abbreviated term

If you had read the link I provided you would have found out that the Code of Practice was "promulgated by Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives to be used as guidelines for the development of rice production system at the farm level" and that it was a "voluntary standard in accordance with the Agricultural Standards Act B.E. 2551 (2008) to promote such agricultural commodity to meet its standard on quality and safety."

If you're that desperate to find a stick to beat the PTP with, fill your boots.

Tjeez man, wiil it never stop? The Democrat party asked for VAT receipts and that's why we had to give them smaller election poster, and now you tell us you actually want to be serious about rice code of conduct ?

Had we only known, we'd quoted you a higher price for storing and safe keeping your rice

[fab4]

If you had read the link I provided you would have found out that the Code of Practice was "promulgated by Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives to be used as guidelines for the development of rice production system at the farm level" and that it was a "voluntary standard in accordance with the Agricultural Standards Act B.E. 2551 (2008) to promote such agricultural commodity to meet its standard on quality and safety."

If you're that desperate to find a stick to beat the PTP with, fill your boots.

Good attempt to avoid answering the question, as usual.

I will ask the question in a different way then.

Did or did not the Yingluck govt. vow to buy every grain of rice available in Thailand and store it until world prices rose?

Would not a policy such as that require said govt to take extra care, and assure these guidelines set by the ministry of Ag. were followed to the letter? Of course that would be accomplished through constant spot inspections.

In fact, would it not have been prudent of the Chairperson of the rice committee , controlling the vast majority of rice in Thailand, to make mandatory, standards in the storage of the rice, as to keep the quality as high as possible?

It's always the same isn't it. When you ask a question that is in any way relevant to my post, I'll answer it. My post was about the warehouse and mill owners being aware of best practises on how to store rice. To that end I provided a link to the code of practice that has been in situ since 2010.

You're the one that now states that Yingluck as Chair of the rice committee should have made a voluntary standard into a law? Was rice never stored badly by warehouse owners before this rice subsidy scheme?

You're determined to try and score political points but I'm not going to get dragged into that BS. As I said fill your boots, you're on your own.

[Thai at Heart]

I am not sure who would be responsible for providing the labour and organisaiotn for the rice.

If I was a warehouse owner, I would just say, I rent you the building, you sort out all the labour and all the costs for fumigation. Why would anyone take responsiblity for someone elses rice?

[rubl]

If you had read the link I provided you would have found out that the Code of Practice was "promulgated by Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives to be used as guidelines for the development of rice production system at the farm level" and that it was a "voluntary standard in accordance with the Agricultural Standards Act B.E. 2551 (2008) to promote such agricultural commodity to meet its standard on quality and safety."

If you're that desperate to find a stick to beat the PTP with, fill your boots.

Good attempt to avoid answering the question, as usual.

I will ask the question in a different way then.

Did or did not the Yingluck govt. vow to buy every grain of rice available in Thailand and store it until world prices rose?

Would not a policy such as that require said govt to take extra care, and assure these guidelines set by the ministry of Ag. were followed to the letter? Of course that would be accomplished through constant spot inspections.

In fact, would it not have been prudent of the Chairperson of the rice committee , controlling the vast majority of rice in Thailand, to make mandatory, standards in the storage of the rice, as to keep the quality as high as possible?

It's always the same isn't it. When you ask a question that is in any way relevant to my post, I'll answer it. My post was about the warehouse and mill owners being aware of best practises on how to store rice. To that end I provided a link to the code of practice that has been in situ since 2010.

You're the one that now states that Yingluck as Chair of the rice committee should have made a voluntary standard into a law? Was rice never stored badly by warehouse owners before this rice subsidy scheme?

You're determined to try and score political points but I'm not going to get dragged into that BS. As I said fill your boots, you're on your own.

True, true. Mind you, with the highly successful RPPs the YIngluck government created a need for additional storage space. As most of that space would be in 'new' warehouses that would be the opprtune moment to enforce the 'code of conduct'. Of course the need to suddenly get all that additional space to store millions of tonnes of rice may have caused the Yingluck government or the National Rice Committee to be somewhat preoccupied. Still that would mean a minimum of negligence.

PS sorry to have to report that after filling the boots with price quality rice they walked away. May have been the complimentary weevils though

[BillyBobThai]

To get the public to start following the laws, the government first has to get everyone's attention. The way I see it, a few examples need to be made. Several public executions would make quite a few folks stop and think, but then again maybe not. As most here are Buddhist, they might just think they will be reincarnated and be able to do it all again.

[englishoak]

As usual there is a gentle reminder to follow a code thats been in place for years already...

What a total waste of air, its real simple anyone found breaking the code gets held to account and faces real penalties. Otherwise its not worth the paper its written on.

[The Deerhunter]

A Voluntary standard is a bit like a verbal contract. Not worth the paper it is written on. Why was the Yingluck gvt handing out rice for contract storage without conditions of storage that were mandatory & accountable? Does this mean that someone at the top was at least guilty of negligence if not more?

Yes I well remember that news report in March which gave a clean bill of health on all the rice and all the warehouses, Pure lies. Pure & simple. I look forward to someone being held accountable for that. I can just hear it. "Just tell them we have checked the rice and It is all OK. I mean we are the government. What can anyone do or say to prove us wrong?"

[belg]

is it dangerous to eat wheevils or is it just free protein ?

[toybits]

Should, could, would.... If the regulations have no teeth, do they honestly think the mouse will not play when the cat is away? Auditing does not seem to be very well appreciated here. And when an audit is done, it is because an external agency (outside of Thailand) has imposed sanctions. There does not seem to be any concern with regards self-regulation. Self-Regulation is done only when they are caught with their pants down.