Commerce Ministry to prosecute 24 blacklisted rice-millers

It will consult with the prime minister and his Cabinet on how lenient it should be with the remaining 55 over less serious breaches of contract.

Commerce Minister Chaiya Sasomsap yesterday said his ministry had placed rice millers in three groups in deciding whether to allow them to participate in the upcoming rice-pledging programme.

"We found that 24 did not deserve to be removed from the blacklist, because they had intentionally stolen government rice for their companies' benefit," said Chaiya.

The ministry will bring criminal and civil charges.

Others who have merely delayed shipments or sent damaged rice to government stockpiles may have their fines remitted and be allowed to attend the next pledging.

Chaiya said the ministry would ask the Cabinet to approve a central committee to vet the cases.

"The committee will consider whether any miller should be taken off the blacklist. Legal action against some may be withdrawn if they are not in serious breach of any regulation. The committee will no doubt be fair and transparent, as many agencies will be involved," he said.

Besides ministry officials, representatives from Government House, prosecutors and the police will sit on it.

Meanwhile, the Commerce Ministry may not intervene in the price of cassava this year, due to high demand in the market.

Chaiya said there was no need unless it fell below Bt2 a kilogram.