The commendable castration of Mr S

COMMENTARY

Published: 27/02/2011 at 07:14 AM
Newspaper section: News

intrigues, unethical business practices, corruption (allegedly, of course, as always), mysterious figures known only by their initials, family quarrels, castration (or the threat thereof), and, of course, it ends with a shady solution that feeds the appetites of the main characters.

However, nobody was unmasked, no culprits were punished. The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) did not find any irregularities in palm oil stocks at the 10 refineries it inspected. How could they? They announced to the press beforehand that they would inspect the 10 refineries. Watching TV, the refinery owners probably said, ''Thanks for the tip, partner.''

As usual, the controversy pitted the Democrat Party against its main coalition partner, Bhumjaithai Party. On the Democrats side of the dispute is Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban, chairman of the National Palm Oil Committee, while Commerce Minister Porntiva Nakasai is on the Bhumjaithai side. When the second lot of imported crude palm oil was delayed, one side accused: ''You're delaying it because you're still negotiating for under-the-table money!'' The other side retorted: ''You want to hurry it up because you've already got your under-the-table money!'' I'll let you figure out who's who.

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About the author

: Writer: Voranai Vanijaka; Position: Political and Social Commentator

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mutley
Post : 51
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Discussion 17 : 03/03/2011 at 01:03 PM17
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Yes, good article but I don't think Thailand will ever change it's ways. In the western world people still cheat and lie but there are some consequencies if they are caught. Here in Thailand, the very people who should be catching these people are themselves at it. Don't drive on road 2 (Saraburi to Nong Khai) near holidays. It once cost me an extra 900 Baht in 'fines'. Fooled 'em on the way back though; went via Chayaphum!
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tomb
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Discussion 16 : 03/03/2011 at 08:02 AM16
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This whole saga beggars belief. Isn't it time for all the dinosaurs to go and get rid of corruption once and for all?
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ivyking
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Discussion 15 : 03/03/2011 at 05:18 AM15
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I have not found any soya or palm oil in my local Tesco for the last 3 months. Apparently they do sell it in small quantities, however the daily stock are completely sold out within a minute each day. I suppose I need to camp there to be abale to buy some.
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ricefield
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Discussion 14 : 02/03/2011 at 11:00 AM14
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batman - the army already has selected Green shirts. Pick another color please...LOL
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batman
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Discussion 13 : 02/03/2011 at 02:44 AM13
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WAKE UP THAILAND.Instead of talking about it lets do something about it.Lets go with a new color shirt like green for envy and start protesting at the airport or Govt. house and then maybe we will get some action
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upena
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Discussion 12 : 01/03/2011 at 03:45 PM12
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Excellent article - factual with a nice bit of humor. Another in the "This is Thailand" saga.
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cape
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Discussion 11 : 28/02/2011 at 03:26 PM11
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What about the coconut shortage ? I can't even find them in the market anymore. Maybe if they sold palm oil by the kilo the price will come down like the price of eggs has !!
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bonzo
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Discussion 10 : 27/02/2011 at 11:03 PM10
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However you package it, it’s still basically Tree Lard.

Anyway: I’m stockpiling high-fructose corn syrup as a hedge against the inevitable crash of the palm oil market.
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fma
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Discussion 9 : 27/02/2011 at 09:11 PM9
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It is not that the politicians are stupid. Palm oil for cooking, milk for children, herbs
vs industry chemicals, dummy mine detectors, mass transport systems, basically anything that requires money to change hands is an opportunity. Is it more or less than 40% of the communication (basically roads) budget that is 'lubricating' the system?
Good thing the Democrats are in charge these days, they are SOOO much better, honest and everything. Really do not need any checks, balances or elections then. Maybe we can get one of the guys from the Middle East as consultants?
They have decades of experience in how to govern. Mubarak or Gadafi, I really cannot decide...
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tommylee
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Discussion 8 : 27/02/2011 at 02:13 PM8
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Yet another of BP editor Khun Voranai Vanijaka's excellent Sunday comments. It is a worldwide phenomenon,
the money always goes into the pockets of the righteous; in Thailand it is the "big families", in the US it is the members of the chosen people (a certain religious comminity): bankers, traders, industrialists, media moguls... Looking at it in this light, I find the Thai way much more enjoyable: Yahoo, Thailand.
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