Public deserve grain of truth

EDITORIAL

Published: 11 Oct 2012 at 00.00
Newspaper section: News

The biggest question currently facing the rice industry, academics and members of the public interested in the government's rice pledging scheme is: Are the Commerce Ministry's claims true that it has signed contracts to export 7.3 million tonnes of milled rice?

So far, statements from Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra and Commerce Minister Boonsong Teriyapirom, the man at the centre of the export deal controversy, have done little to help clear the air about the existence or non-existence of the contracts.

Prime Minister Yingluck told the media on Tuesday that she had seen the memorandums of understanding (MoUs) concerning the rice export deals, and that eight million tonnes of rice were committed to be exported. Deliveries of all the rice, she said, would be completed by the end of next year.

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howell
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Discussion 11 : 11 Oct 2012 at 23.5511
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@bula. 'The commerce minister has mentioned the name of the countries'.

And you believe him ? Wow, you are so gullible.
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howell
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Discussion 10 : 11 Oct 2012 at 23.2010
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If so much was sold how come Thaksin/PTP are going to use Don Muang hangers to store (unsold) rice ?
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Renaissance
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Discussion 9 : 11 Oct 2012 at 19.469
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While I respect the Red contingent's insistence that Thaksin can do no wrong and that for sure 7 million MT have been sold, don't you have just an itchy feeling that Yingluck and Boonsong are trying to pull the wool over everyone's eyes? For example, Yingluck said MOUs have been signed while Boonsong said contracts have been signed. Doesn't it sound like the two have not prepared the official story very well? I think that they are trying to buy time while Thaksin looks for a way to deal with the embarrassing situation. It's as good as a Thai play!
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sunshine51
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Discussion 8 : 11 Oct 2012 at 19.228
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bula, yes they did mention some names but when asked those countries denied buying rice from Thailand!!!
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bula
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Discussion 7 : 11 Oct 2012 at 17.427
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sunshine #6 - Your insulting attitude does not make your comment/opinion any credible. The commerce minister has mentioned the name of the countries.
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sunshine51
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Discussion 6 : 11 Oct 2012 at 16.336
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redbula, how can anyone ask the buyers since there aren't any????
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pquinlan
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Discussion 5 : 11 Oct 2012 at 12.045
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For context, 7moving 7 million tonnes of rice overseas requires approximately 50 to 60 Panamex class ships, ie some of the largest freighters on the planet, or many more vessels if using smaller capacity ships. How on earth does anyone think that this could happen without anyone else noticing it? You are left with the uncomfortable feeling you are being told "porkys".
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wiseyeti
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Discussion 4 : 11 Oct 2012 at 11.594
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"Since when are the details of a rice deal regarded as state secrets or confidential?"

To a tongue-in-cheek question a tongue-in-cheek answer: since Pheu Thai won the general election. Period.
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bula
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Discussion 3 : 11 Oct 2012 at 09.573
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The Commerce Minister said "Those who want to know the details can ask the buyers," - reported by BP. Has the BP asked the buyers? You have the right to ask them, let them give you the details.
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Ian
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Discussion 2 : 11 Oct 2012 at 09.392
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I think all this debate is silly, you cannot move hundreds of tons of rice around the country, never mind abroad to another country, without involving many people, administrators, clerks, mechanical shovel drivers, truck drivers, crane operators etc. Thus any half competent investigator or journalist should be easily able to trace any large scale movements of rice. Or equally establish that there have been no movements.
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Public deserve grain of truth | Bangkok Post: opinion