Working group for rice pledging damage recovery to be set up

BANGKOK, 11 March 2015 (NNT) – The Ministry of Commerce (MOC) is set to establish working group tasked with damage recovery to the former government’s rice pledging scheme, with the establishment scheduled to be concluded within this week prior to the approval, says the Commerce Minister.

The Minister of Commerce Gen Chatchai Sarikulya revealed that the ministry is working on the conclusion for the procedures of the rice pledging scheme damage recovery objective as appointed by the Office of the National Anti-Corruption Commission’s official letter.

He said that the damage recovery working group for the rice pledging scheme will be chaired by the Minister of Commerce himself, but the details of its operations and procedures are still under discussion. A concrete outcome is expected within this week, prior to submitting the matter to the Deputy Prime Minister on legal affairs for his consideration.

The rice pledging scheme is a project of the former government, that the National Legislative Assembly has sentenced former Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra with misconduct. The sentence indicated that former Prime Minister neglected and failed to act stop the misconducts related to the policy which caused immense damages.

Regarding the punishment for the two government officers related to the rice pledging scheme, namely the Department of Department of Foreign Trade Deputy Director-General Tikhumporn Natvaratat, and the former Rice Stock Director Akarapong Dipavajra, the Civil Service Subcomittee will hold a meeting tomorrow on this issue.

The expected punishment for the two government officers could be either demotion or termination of employment.

The Commerce Minister has admitted that it was not a simple task to punish government officers, as it may lead to hurt the working spirit of other officers. However he said that this matter will proceed according to the principles and regulations.


-- NNT 2015-03-11

Really maybe it can be looked on as warning if you do something to hurt government or it's people you will be held to account so next time check all angles before doing if in doubt table it for study first.

The Commerce Minister has admitted that it was not a simple task to punish government officers, as it may lead to hurt the working spirit of other officers. However he said that this matter will proceed according to the principles and regulations.

Lets not worry about working spirit.

How about getting it through their heads that if they engage in corruption they will be next.

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The Commerce Minister has admitted that it was not a simple task to punish government officers, as it may lead to hurt the working spirit of other officers. However he said that this matter will proceed according to the principles and regulations.

Lets not worry about working spirit.

How about getting it through their heads that if they engage in corruption they will be next.

Roby you reply was exactly my thought, weak at best. Time to lop off heads (figuratively) or the corruption will never stop.

Unfortunately that is part of the problem in Thailand, once the enforcing authorities start to treat this as seriously as it deserves, then the general population may follow suit.

It's true that staff morale in government departments is important, but when compared to the overall affect of massive corruption and theft it matters not.

Once the media starts reporting on lengthy jail terms for those responsible (and I'm talking in years X 10's) then perhaps the message might get through.

Corruption at the top requires draconian and extreme measures, the sooner it starts the better...

'He said that the damage recovery working group for the rice pledging scheme will be chaired by the Minister of Commerce himself, but the details of its operations and procedures are still under discussion. A concrete outcome is expected within this week, prior to submitting the matter to the Deputy Prime Minister on legal affairs for his consideration.'

What happened to the transparency in Government?

Regarding the punishment for the two government officers related to the rice pledging scheme, namely the Department of Department of Foreign Trade Deputy Director-General Tikhumporn Natvaratat, and the former Rice Stock Director Akarapong Dipavajra, the Civil Service Subcommittee will hold a meeting tomorrow on this issue.

So what did these two do, and what affiliation do they have politically? Their potential demotions sound like a slap on the wrist?