Bangkok, This afternoon the Royal Thai Police The ONCB summoned two officials from the Ministry of Agriculture who “Achariya” said were the ones who brought information about the Rice Department and Royal Rainmaking Department projects to the public, causing the gang to extort money from the Director-General. One person is currently at the level of bureau director. As for the other person, it is still unclear. Used to be a government official or a person related to the committee. Which set exactly?
Thai News Agency reporters received reports that This afternoon (February 12), Pol. Maj. Gen. Charoonkiat Pankaew, Deputy Commissioner of the Central Investigation Bureau, gave the Royal Thai Police The Narcotics Control Board has appointed two people, “Mr. O” and “Mr. A,” to testify in the case of slamming the Director-General of the Rice Department. Both of them are Mr. Atchariya. Rueangrattanaphong informed Pol. Maj. Gen. Charoonkiat said It was a government official from the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooper
atives who brought information about the projects of the Rice Department and the Royal Rainmaking Department and Agricultural Aviation to Mr. Ekkalak Warechon or Aek Paknam, a participant in Mr. Srisuwan Janraya’s money-extortion scheme.
As for “Mr. O”, he is a Rice Department official at the level of Bureau Director who used to receive support from politicians in the Ministry of Agriculture. Support to rise to the position of Deputy Director-General But he was prevented from being promoted by the top executives of the Rice Department.
In addition, “Mr. O” was also appointed by Mr. Natthakit Khongthip, Director-General of the Rice Department, to investigate the matter. According to a group of farmers complaining about the ineffectiveness of the project to purchase rice seed cleaning machines and the lack of transparency. The said machinery was purchased for loan to the Community Rice Center for use under the Large Plot Agricultural Promotion System project in fiscal year 2020.
Another person that the inves
tigating officer invited to gain information was “Mr. A,” which Mr. Atchariya stated that Is the person who released information about the Royal Rainmaking Airplane procurement project. At this time it is not clear whether Have you ever been a government official in any department in the Ministry of Agriculture? But currently you are involved with a committee in the House of Representatives.
Reporters reported that As for the Director-General of the Department of Royal Rainmaking and Agricultural Aviation, Although Mr. Srisuwan’s group complained both to the committee (committee) studying the preparation and monitoring of budget management. Including filing a complaint letter with the Ministry of Agriculture 2 times but not wanting to file a legal action.
For Mr. Natthakit Khongthip, Director-General of the Rice Department Previously, he explained about the project to support the reduction of agricultural production costs. For rice farmers, 15,255 million baht, which is a project that Mr. Srisuwan’s group b
rought in to extract assets. The Director-General of the Rice Department stated that Ordered the check payable to the BAAC. To pay money into farmers’ accounts according to Cabinet resolution. That has allowed the budget to be changed to use in the project to support management costs and develop the quality of rice farmers’ produce for the production year 2022/23, so this budget has not been managed at all, but the Committee studies the preparation and monitoring of budget management. To clarify the project to hire an organizer to organize National Rice and Farmer Day activities under the name “Campaign to transfer technology to reduce agricultural production costs for rice farmers on National Rice and Farmer Day 2023” which organized activities at 3 locations: at the Rice Department Phitsanulok Province and Nakhon Ratchasima Province
The event cost a budget of 8 million baht, with 5 million baht for the Rice Department, 1.5 million baht for Phitsanulok Province, and 1.5 million baht for Nakhon Ratchasima Pr
ovince. Progressive Party MPs noted that it was worth it and had Efficiency in using the budget Recently, the Director General of the Rice Department In response, he will explain to the committee. Studying the preparation and monitoring of budget management on February 15th.
Recently it was reported that The Thai Good Governance Network will follow up on matters that have previously been complained to. Narcotics Control Board to prosecute senior executives of the Rice Department on the basis of being an official who wrongfully performed or neglected to perform his duties regarding ordering the use of government vehicles for other missions that is not government work on June 16, 2022, with the Good Governance Network having reported this issue since November 27, 2022.
Source: Thai News Agency