Rice scheme disaster calls for accountability

Your report on the staggering losses of the rice-pledging scheme under the watch of the former prime minister and then his premier sister is unbelievable. The loss of B519 billion during the three-year period of the sister is mind-blowing. Another Bt100 billion loss is expected when the remaining rice stock of 19.2 tonnes are sold. 

The government’s tax and other revenues collected for the year 2013 amounted to Bt1.666 trillion. This mammoth loss to Thailand represents 37 per cent of the government’s tax revenue. This is immensely serious and calls for accountability from the previous government for failure to do their duty or corruption, careless management, malfeasance or gross negligence. Whatever the reason or combination of reasons, I very much like to see many from that sector and some civil servants entering the Bang Kwan Prison just like the ex-Democrat MP now staying there for murder. 

Songdej Praditsmanont

Bangkok