Lotus leaves will not cover up rice problem

COMMENTARY

Lotus leaves will not cover up rice problem

Published: 8 Oct 2012 at 00.00
Newspaper section: News

"You cannot cover up a dead elephant with lotus leaves." So goes this popular Thai saying, which means that a scandal or something evil which is widely known can never be concealed or covered up because the truth about it will, sooner or later, be exposed.

Rice farmers in Lam Luk Ka district, Pathum Thani, rush to harvest their rice crops as floodwaters Nakhon Nayok’s Ongkharak flow in. PONGPAT WONGYALA

I am referring to this old adage to ponder the conduct of the Commerce Ministry in its handling of the rice pledging scheme, particularly regarding the information about the government-to-government export rice deals and the huge rice stockpiles scattered in various privately and government-owned warehouses across the country.

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bluebottle
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Discussion 14 : 08 Oct 2012 at 16.4714
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lets face it the scheme has not had the effect we were led to understand.It dose seems to have had the effect intended by by its creators of opening up more avenues for mismanagement of our taxes.
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bula
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Discussion 13 : 08 Oct 2012 at 16.3413
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Looking forward to the day when rice farmers who already paying tax in various forms will contribute more in taxes and economy and food security of Thailand.
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kasper
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Discussion 12 : 08 Oct 2012 at 16.0812
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@bula, d7.

Your analogy has so many errors I barely know where to start, but I will try :-)

In your business you spend your own money and you take the loss when you make bad decisions. The government on the other hand is not spending their own money, and they are not financially liable when they make mistakes. The shareholders are, and they include the opposition, who therefore have every right to do what they can to ensure their money is not misused.

In your business nothing is made public, as what you do with your money is noone elses business, except perhaps the revenue department. However as the government is spending public money, the public has a right to know how their money is spent, which is why all info should be made public.
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dao
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Discussion 11 : 08 Oct 2012 at 14.2211
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The taxpayer is losing already .The farmer will start when the rice stockpiles start to rot .
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peterl
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Discussion 10 : 08 Oct 2012 at 12.4610
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It is not difficult to think of genuine reasons why the fine details of these G-to-G deals have to be kept as trade secrets. For example, making such information public would make it easier for rival exporting countries to undercut Thai prices. The deals are made in a competitive trading environment in which keeping the fine details private is normal commercial practice. I am sure the author of this article is well aware of this obvious fact.

That is not to say the government does not need to urgently address many of the issues raised by critics of the rice pledging scheme. It clearly does and more than just better presentation of its policy.
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spiceman
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Discussion 9 : 08 Oct 2012 at 11.249
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Khun Genii #3, I guess because plenty of their hard-earned tax money is on the hook on this potentially disastrous anti-free market scheme.
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Eric
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Discussion 8 : 08 Oct 2012 at 09.258
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At this Internet age, it's not difficult to find out any major news even rice import of various countries. And can a country like Thailand made a frivolous statement regarding another country without receiving a response? Take Indonesia, the G to G agreement to import rice from Thailand is all over the Internet since March. The Indonesia government has not reveal any details. Not surprising as the amount has not been finalized due to many reasons. The problem as Khun Veera has stated is not about helping the poor farmers but corruption. We hope that article by major media will be non partisan and more investigative journalism to expose corruption instead of desk journalism.
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bula
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Discussion 7 : 08 Oct 2012 at 09.227
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In my business, I have advisers and utilize the services of consultants. They do not impose their opinions on me. They conduct their role and job professionally and with integrity. They engaged me in a positive manner. They do not make public statement. I make whatever adjustment necessary, and I am the one who makes the final decision. Not taking their advice or opinion does not mean they are not valued or listened to. I think it is the same as a good political leader of a government. It is counter productive for the oppositions to play the game of blocking government policies that serve to better the life of its people, even if they are with challenges. Thinking out of the box is not enough, you have to burn it.
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pjt
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Discussion 6 : 08 Oct 2012 at 09.156
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D2@genii - I think the interest is twofold. First there is a strong smell of corruption and incompetence surrounding this scheme fuelled by the Commerce Minister's comments which do not make sense and look like he is hiding something. Second, it is recognised that unless you do something sustainable about income disparity then divisions will deepen and continue to be exploited. This scheme is a con, because it does nothing sustainable to raise the earning capacity of those who currently work in rice farming, quite the opposite in fact. Social divisions will increase when that becomes clear
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pjt
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Discussion 5 : 08 Oct 2012 at 09.045
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How can the details of the quantity, prices and delivery dates of the G to G deals be a trade secret to be kept from Thai people? This rice belongs to Thai people. There is no reason why the aggregate value and quantity of G to G deals plus how much will be delivered this year and in future years cannot be disclosed
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