The private sector is calling on caretaker Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra to take responsibility for the controversial rice-pledging programme, particularly after the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) last week said that it would launch a full inquiry into her role in the scheme.
The premier faces criminal charges if the investigation finds she was negligent in her duties as chairwoman of the National Rice Policy Committee, which oversees the scheme. She would also be required to step down from official roles.
An NACC inquiry panel also decided to bring formal corruption charges against 15 people involved in government-to-government rice deals.
The suspects include former commerce minister Boonsong Teriyapirom and former deputy commerce minister Poom Sarapol.
"We want to see concrete action from the government's leader," said Pramon Sutivong, chairman of the Anti-Corruption Organisation of Thailand (ACT). "She may apologise to the public or resign from the position involved to show her utmost responsibility."
Mr Pramon said the caretaker premier chaired the National Rice Policy Committee, so she cannot avoid taking any responsibility.
According to Mr Pramon, the organisation has also called on the NACC to rush its probe in compliance with the law and not to let any suspects delay the inquiry process.
Mr Pramon added that the 15 suspects must pay compensation for the losses incurred by the programme.
Mana Nimitmongkol, director of the ACT, also urged the caretaker government, if it was re-elected in the upcoming election scheduled for Feb 2, to revise the loss-ridden and costly rice scheme. He said that not only had it wasted the government budget but also caused an economic loss to the country of more than 400 billion baht.
Mr Mana pointed out two weak points of the scheme: firstly, that it offers buying prices 40% higher than the global market price; secondly, that it offers to buy every grain of paddy regardless of quality.
Vichai Assarasakorn, vice-chairman of the Thai Chamber of Commerce and Board of Trade of Thailand, said the conference of the Joint Standing Committee on Commerce, Industry and Banking (JSCCIB) next month will try to help farmers hit by the government's late payments in the rice scheme.
"Any proposals agreed on and submitted by the JSCCIB aim to help farmers and related SMEs," he said.