All about rice: NACC can't afford to get it wrong again

[webfact]

BURNING ISSUE
All about rice: NACC can't afford to get it wrong again

BANGKOK: -- THAILAND'S RICE saga flared up last year, with research showing large probable losses resulting from the Pheu Thai Party's rice-pledging scheme as well as the possibility of corruption.

But the saga is full of twists, the latest concerning the decision by the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) to defer taking the case against former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra to court.

During the anti-government protests, the scheme was frequently highlighted as an example of the party's policy corruption.

The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) also appears to have believed this. After taking on an investigation into possible corruption in the scheme in December 2012, it acted swiftly this year.

In January, a subcommittee ruled to file charges against former commerce minister Boonsong Teriyapirom and 15 accomplices. Two months later, in the first twist of the saga, the anti-graft agency moved to file charges against Yingluck for negligence.

One of the reasons prosecutors gave for deferring the NACC case was that evidence was incomplete. One example cited was research into the rice scheme by Thailand Development Research Institute - only the cover page of that research was submitted, it said.

That sparked another twist. A Pheu Thai member shouted that as the TDRI research was released before Yingluck took power, how it could be used against her?

However, NACC chairman Panthep Klanarongran hit back, saying that the research was just a reference. As such, the release date did not matter. In the background, some supporters claimed that there was some kind of interference to block the OAG taking the case against Yingluck. The former prime minister later insisted there was no such thing.

Another twist followed. Nipon Poapongsakorn, a distinguished fellow at TDRI, issued a statement to clarify that the particular research covering the rice-pledging scheme for the 2005/2006 harvest year under the Thaksin era. As such, it should not be used to back the NACC's case against Yingluck.

"Academic research is not about finding wrongdoers, which is the duty of government officers. Academics' duty is to find the root of corruption, aimed at preventing losses to the country. Please use academic research appropriately," he said.

Another twist will follow soon. The NACC has apparently conceded that it has to work harder to convince state prosecutors that the case against Yingluck carries some weight. So, a 10-member team has been appointed to work with the prosecutors.

Looking back, it seems inconceivable that the prosecutors could have decided differently. The NACC's case against Boonsong and accomplices has not yet reached court. They are not yet proven guilty of falsifying a government-to-government rice deal with China. So it may be stretching things to say that Yingluck should be held responsible for unproven wrongdoing, despite the schemes massive losses.

To Pheu Thai's supporters, it would be better if both cases go to the court at the same time, rather than proceeding with Yingluck's case alone.

The NACC would be a hero if wrongdoers are proved guilty. But its reputation would be badly tarnished if it fails. It already had several high-profile failures in its graft-fighting history.

In April, its cases against former commerce minister Watana and former Bangkok governor Apirak Kosayothin were dropped, relieving the two from paying compensation to Bangkok Metropolitan Administration in regard to a fire-truck purchase deal.

In June, the Appeal Court also reversed the lower court's ruling against Amaret Sila-on, former chairman of the dissolved Financial Sector Restructuring Authority (FRA), over charges of negligence.

Notably, several cases have been delayed, including one against former Tourism Authority of Thailand governor Juthamas Siriwan.

The NACC has made the right moves to prove that wrongdoers will eventually be punished. But as we have seen from the rice-pledging case, poor preparation and politicking could reduce confidence in its work. And this could bring about losses to the state.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/All-about-rice-NACC-cant-afford-to-get-it-wrong-ag-30243366.html


-- The Nation 2014-09-16

[halloween]

What could be wrong with promoting a policy of a previous administration, when it has been proven to be corrupt? Of course, there were major changes to remedy the faults of the earlier policy, and I'm sure her supporters will inform us what changes were made.

[ChrisY1]

Big names rarely get taken down......no difference here IMO.

[Thai at Heart]

What could be wrong with promoting a policy of a previous administration, when it has been proven to be corrupt? Of course, there were major changes to remedy the faults of the earlier policy, and I'm sure her supporters will inform us what changes were made.

Proven and corruption?

Ah,.so there should be hundreds of people awaiting or having completed their trials.if the corruption was so blatent.

[halloween]

What could be wrong with promoting a policy of a previous administration, when it has been proven to be corrupt? Of course, there were major changes to remedy the faults of the earlier policy, and I'm sure her supporters will inform us what changes were made.

Proven and corruption?

Ah,.so there should be hundreds of people awaiting or having completed their trials.if the corruption was so blatent.

I don't have time to sort through the half million hits, so you can take my word for it, or not. But IIRC, 17% was the bandied figure, of allocated funds that reached the stated intended targets, poor rice farmers. IMHO much more reached the actual intended recipients.

It would seem the figures would be much the same for Yingluk's version, if not lower on achievement allowing for practice and experience of the corrupt, and the participation of government ministers in the G2G lurk.

[Bender]

One of the reasons prosecutors gave for deferring the NACC case was that evidence was incomplete. One example cited was research into the rice scheme by Thailand Development Research Institute - only the cover page of that research was submitted, it said.

"only the cover page of that research was submitted, it said."

these people are a complete joke; seriously!

seriously?

[Gunna]

One of the reasons prosecutors gave for deferring the NACC case was that evidence was incomplete. One example cited was research into the rice scheme by Thailand Development Research Institute - only the cover page of that research was submitted, it said.

"only the cover page of that research was submitted, it said."

these people are a complete joke; seriously!

seriously?

Maybe NACC thought that if OAG really wanted to read the whole report rather than the summary, then they would have asked to see it before making their decision. Seems to me OAG was always looking for reasons to delay the case.

[trogers]

What could be wrong with promoting a policy of a previous administration, when it has been proven to be corrupt? Of course, there were major changes to remedy the faults of the earlier policy, and I'm sure her supporters will inform us what changes were made.

Probably changes in bank accounts.

[Thai at Heart]

What could be wrong with promoting a policy of a previous administration, when it has been proven to be corrupt? Of course, there were major changes to remedy the faults of the earlier policy, and I'm sure her supporters will inform us what changes were made.

Proven and corruption?

Ah,.so there should be hundreds of people awaiting or having completed their trials.if the corruption was so blatent.

I don't have time to sort through the half million hits, so you can take my word for it, or not. But IIRC, 17% was the bandied figure, of allocated funds that reached the stated intended targets, poor rice farmers. IMHO much more reached the actual intended recipients.

It would seem the figures would be much the same for Yingluk's version, if not lower on achievement allowing for practice and experience of the corrupt, and the participation of government ministers in the G2G lurk.

There was a bloke in chaiyaphum who got 7 years. The diversion of funds to middle men has been going on in Thailand since the advent of commodity business.

The farmer sells for cash and the middle man stores and delivers when it is most advantageous. The fact that reportedly so little of the increase ended up the farmers hand directly is no indication of corruption.

I don't believe the system was 100% clean but because it failed doesn't make it corrupt.

[Orac]

One of the reasons prosecutors gave for deferring the NACC case was that evidence was incomplete. One example cited was research into the rice scheme by Thailand Development Research Institute - only the cover page of that research was submitted, it said.

"only the cover page of that research was submitted, it said."

these people are a complete joke; seriously!

seriously?

Maybe NACC thought that if OAG really wanted to read the whole report rather than the summary, then they would have asked to see it before making their decision. Seems to me OAG was always looking for reasons to delay the case.

Why would they want to see the report in the first place if it wasn't even about the rice pledging scheme that is in question.

Edited September 16, 2014 by Orac

[Eric Loh]

NACC has until Friday to re-submit their case again to the OAG. They will probably plead for an extension like what Yingluck did and denied.

[englishoak]

And the games continue

[billsmart]

I just hope all this legal and political haggling over who did what to whom and when won't keep the government from giving reasonable economic support to the rice farmers either in the form of minimum price guarantees, rai-based subsidies or both.

Edited September 16, 2014 by billsmart

[Thai at Heart]

I just hope all this legal and political haggling over who did what to whom and when won't keep the government from giving reasonable economic support to the rice farmers either in the form of minimum price guarantees, rai-based subsidies or both.

That boat has sailed. The latest crop of the month is now rubber, but this is not a wasteful, populist policy because the junta has imposed it. My neighbour with about 600 rai which has earned him millions over the years will be most glad of the assistance.

[halloween]

Why would they want to see the report in the first place if it wasn't even about the rice pledging scheme that is in question.

The report was about Thaksin's scheme. Rumour has it that he was influential in the Yingluk government which re-instated his scheme. Do you know of any changes made? Or are you trying to obfuscate?

[rubl]

NACC has until Friday to re-submit their case again to the OAG. They will probably plead for an extension like what Yingluck did and denied.

I guess that should read "like Yingluck asked for and was denied" ?

Anyway, please check again, Ms. Yingluck had her legal representatives ask for 15 days, 45 days, etc. delays and was actually granted some. In total probably close to two months delay as well. Mind you, all that was soo long ago, it almost seems like years ago, doesn't it

[rubl]

I just hope all this legal and political haggling over who did what to whom and when won't keep the government from giving reasonable economic support to the rice farmers either in the form of minimum price guarantees, rai-based subsidies or both.

That boat has sailed. The latest crop of the month is now rubber, but this is not a wasteful, populist policy because the junta has imposed it. My neighbour with about 600 rai which has earned him millions over the years will be most glad of the assistance.

The budget for this is in the National Budget and limited unlike the non-revolving funds for the RPPS of the previous government.

BTW 'your neighbour'? I thought you lived somewhere in Isaan ?

[rametindallas]

One of the reasons prosecutors gave for deferring the NACC case was that evidence was incomplete. One example cited was research into the rice scheme by Thailand Development Research Institute - only the cover page of that research was submitted, it said.

"only the cover page of that research was submitted, it said."

these people are a complete joke; seriously!

seriously?

Maybe NACC thought that if OAG really wanted to read the whole report rather than the summary, then they would have asked to see it before making their decision. Seems to me OAG was always looking for reasons to delay the case.

Why would they want to see the report in the first place if it wasn't even about the rice pledging scheme that is in question.

Why would the NACC want to hear all Yingluck's superfluous witnesses who weren't directly involved in the rice pledging scheme? The OP said it was a base line reference to compare how rice policy had changed.

[Thai at Heart]

I just hope all this legal and political haggling over who did what to whom and when won't keep the government from giving reasonable economic support to the rice farmers either in the form of minimum price guarantees, rai-based subsidies or both.

That boat has sailed. The latest crop of the month is now rubber, but this is not a wasteful, populist policy because the junta has imposed it. My neighbour with about 600 rai which has earned him millions over the years will be most glad of the assistance.

The budget for this is in the National Budget and limited unlike the non-revolving funds for the RPPS of the previous government.

BTW 'your neighbour'? I thought you lived somewhere in Isaan ?

I used to. Yes, he has 600 rai in Nong khai.

I know one family of political connections who have converted 15000 rai of oranges to rubber over the last 10 years.

Half of the problem of this glut is that thousands of rai have been planted in the north and north east in the last 10 years.

Many plantations in the south are ageing. The new power house for rubber is north east, north and laos. Brand new factories in nongkhai, Udon and ubon.

[northernjohn]

What could be wrong with promoting a policy of a previous administration, when it has been proven to be corrupt? Of course, there were major changes to remedy the faults of the earlier policy, and I'm sure her supporters will inform us what changes were made.

Proven and corruption?

Ah,.so there should be hundreds of people awaiting or having completed their trials.if the corruption was so blatent.

You are absolutely correct.

That is just another item on the to do list for the government to fix. All in good time. Remember it was a house of sh-t the government inherited not a show piece of honesty. As has all ready been stated by the Prime Minister it will take longer than a year to fix the mess and he hopes the next elected government will carry on with the work.

[Thai at Heart]

What could be wrong with promoting a policy of a previous administration, when it has been proven to be corrupt? Of course, there were major changes to remedy the faults of the earlier policy, and I'm sure her supporters will inform us what changes were made.

Proven and corruption?

Ah,.so there should be hundreds of people awaiting or having completed their trials.if the corruption was so blatent.

You are absolutely correct.

That is just another item on the to do list for the government to fix. All in good time. Remember it was a house of sh-t the government inherited not a show piece of honesty. As has all ready been stated by the Prime Minister it will take longer than a year to fix the mess and he hopes the next elected government will carry on with the work.

I still await proof of this enormous corruption.

I hope that extends a bit further than a research document from some thinktank.

I mean honestly ,could you imagine using the economist to prosecute someone.