The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) will recommend that the Commerce and Finance ministries file a civil suit demanding compensation for huge losses from 21 individuals and companies involved in allegedly corrupt government-to-government (G-to-G) rice deals.
NACC president Panthep Klanarongran said the anti-graft body will advise today that the ministries proceed with legal action against parties involved to seek the return of large sums to the Department of Foreign Trade.
Panthep: Chinese, Thai firms named
On Jan 20, NACC commissioner Vicha Mahakul, who heads a sub-panel investigating the rice scheme, indicted former commerce minister Boonsong Teriyapirom, his deputy Poom Sarapol, as well as 19 other high-level officials, private sector executives, and two companies.
He said then the losses from the deals amounted to 600 billion baht.
Mr Panthep said the agency would make its demand to the ministries based on Section 73/1 of the 1999 Organic Act on Counter-Corruption.
He said the NACC would forward its investigation report on the G-to-G rice sales to the Office of the Attorney-General next Monday to prosecute the 21 suspects in court.
According to the NACC probe, they colluded to benefit two Chinese firms — Guangdong Stationery & Sporting Goods Import and Export Corp, and Hainan Grain and Oil Industrial Trading Company — which were not authorised by Beijing to undertake G-to-G deals.
The two companies were given the rights to buy rice under the pledging scheme without having to face bidding competition.
They then sold the paddy, which they bought at prices lower than the pledging price, to Thailand's domestic rice traders, including Siam Indica Co to resell. These practices caused damage to the country, according to the NACC.
Siam Indica Co and Siralai Co are among those indicted by the NACC and expected to pay monetary compensation.