IN BRIEF
agriculture
Allegations over rubber scam could rebound on Thaksin government
The government's probe into an alleged rubber-seedling scam under deposed prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra would take more than two months to complete.
Banjerd Singkaneti, a member of the Assets Examination Committee, said yesterday the investigation would take that long because the case involved many documents, officials and politicians while the process of purchasing rubber seedlings was complicated.The Auditor-General's Office had found that the Agriculture Ministry's tender for Bt1.44 billion worth of rubber seedlings was designed to benefit big companies close to the Thaksin administration, although the scheme was proposed to help small farmers. The project is among 20 targeted for scrutiny after the coup of September 19. - The Nation. Election body: Nine vie for EC secretary-general
Somchai Srisutthiyakorn, the People's Network for Elections in Thailand (P-Net) co-ordinator, applied for the position of Election Commission (EC) secretary-general yesterday. Eight other people are also vying for the job since the EC opened applications on October 16, including former MPs, former senators and lecturers. Former senator Karun Saignam said he would also apply for the post next Monday - the day applications close. The seat has been vacant since the former EC secretary-general Ekkachai Warunprapha resigned in August. - The Nation.
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