Showing 21 - 30 of 37
Boonsong botches chance to defend rice scheme
News, Veera Prateepchaikul, Published on 10/06/2013
» Commerce Minister Boonsong Teriyapirom's press conference last Friday which was supposed to enlighten us as to the actual status of the rice pledging scheme was a farce, a letdown as always as far as the populist scheme is concerned.
Stop hiding the truth about the rice buying scheme
Veera Prateepchaikul, Published on 04/06/2013
» Apparently uncomfortable with Moody’s latest unfavourable credit rating for Thailand, due to the higher than expected losses in the government’s rice "buying" scheme, commerce permanent secretary Vatchari Vimooktayon wondered aloud what information the credible credit rating agency used in making its assessment.
Wall around failed rice scheme starting to leak
Veera Prateepchaikul, Published on 21/05/2013
» Most people still know little or nothing about the rice pledging scheme, with the actual details fiercely guarded by a handful of officials at the Commerce Ministry, including Commerce Minister Boonsong Teriyapriom.
Slim chance of conviction for GT200 here
Veera Prateepchaikul, Published on 26/04/2013
» British businessman James McCormick made around £50 million (about 2.2 billion baht today) selling bogus bomb detectors to several countries, including Thailand, but has finally been convicted of fraud by the criminal court in London. He is to be sentenced next week.
The rice scheme has finally collapsed
Veera Prateepchaikul, Published on 08/03/2013
» Finally, the government has conceded and decided to sell the millions of tonnes of rice held in stockpiles since last year at the market price - and take an embarrassing big loss as a result.
Second crop shortfall not such a blessing
News, Veera Prateepchaikul, Published on 04/03/2013
» The continuing drought which has substantially cut back the harvest of the second-crop paddy for this year means a loss of much-needed revenue for many farmers. But to the contrary, it represents a blessing in disguise for the Commerce Ministry.
Banks teetering on brink over rice scheme
News, Veera Prateepchaikul, Published on 25/02/2013
» The state-owned SME and Islamic banks are struggling to survive after having to shore up huge non-performing loans (NPLs) from careless lending by their managements, especially to their friends and political bosses. The two banks have combined NPLs of a staggering 70 billion baht, or 30% of 210 billion baht in loans extended.
FAO warning shows folly of rice pledging
News, Veera Prateepchaikul, Published on 11/02/2013
» Just as the media and the public are losing interest in the government's populist rice pledging scheme, the latest report from the Rome-based Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) warns that Thailand may be running out of space to store rice.
Out of sight, but rice scheme not out of hot water
Veera Prateepchaikul, Published on 15/01/2013
» Out of sight, out of mind, so the saying goes. And never more so than with the government’s primary, populist policy vote-catcher – the deeply troubled rice pledging scheme.
Public still kept in the dark about rice deals
Veera Prateepchaikul, Published on 27/11/2012
» Despite the admission by Deputy Prime Minister Kittiratt Na-Ranong that the rice pledging scheme is problematic and will incur losses which are yet to be assessed, Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra and Commerce Minister Boonsong Teriyapirom remain adamant that the scheme is fine and benefits the farmers.