OAG wants to question more witnesses to clear doubts on G-to-G rice deals

BANGKOK: -- The Office of the Attorney-General wants to question more witnesses regarding the government-to-government rice deals made under the rice pledging scheme to clear some doubts about the deals, said Mr Surasak Srirattrakul, director-general of the Office of the OAG, today.

He pointed out that the evidences of the National Anti-Corruption Committee contain some unclear points and once these have been cleared the case against former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra could be proceeded to the court.

“Some witnesses claimed that some rice were sold on G-to-G but others claimed that there were no G-to-G deals. That is why we want to clear up this point,” he said.

Ms Yingluck was accused of negligence for failing to stop corruption in the rice pledging scheme causing extensive damage to the country.

Mr Surasak insisted that the OAG would strictly follow the letters of the law and would perform its duty straightforwardly to ensure fairness to all parties concerned.

Representatives of the OAG and the NACC will meet soon to discuss the case. But Mr Surasak said he didn’t think the case would be ready to be sent to the court this year.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/oag-wants-question-witnesses-clear-doubts-g-g-rice-deals

-- Thai PBS 2014-12-12

"... Mr Surasak said he didn’t think the case would be ready to be sent to the court this year."

It seems that OAG has chilled NACC's rush to get Yingluck into court. Last August 2014 the NACC gave the OAG just 30 days to proceed with the case to the Supreme Court’s criminal division for political office holders or to drop the case. And if the OAG disagrees with the NACC in committee review, then the NACC would initiate the case to the court by itself. Now its five months later and the NACC hasn't set up its own presecutor to try the case. And during that five-month period Yingluck repeatedly asked NACC for more time to present additional evidence and was denied because of the urgency. I hope she used the delay to better gather her defense.

"... Mr Surasak said he didn’t think the case would be ready to be sent to the court this year."

It seems that OAG has chilled NACC's rush to get Yingluck into court. Last August 2014 the NACC gave the OAG just 30 days to proceed with the case to the Supreme Court’s criminal division for political office holders or to drop the case. And if the OAG disagrees with the NACC in committee review, then the NACC would initiate the case to the court by itself. Now its five months later and the NACC hasn't set up its own presecutor to try the case. And during that five-month period Yingluck repeatedly asked NACC for more time to present additional evidence and was denied because of the urgency. I hope she used the delay to better gather her defense.

I hope so too.

She will need it I think.