G-to-G culprits to lose assets

The Legal Execution Department expects to serve ex-commerce minister Boonsong Teriyapirom and five others with an asset seizure order today, the department’s chief said.

Ruenvadee Suwanmongkol, the department’s director-general, said she has received a letter from the Department of Foreign Trade authorising the department to enforce the seizure order. She said department officials will serve the order on the six individuals today.

Under the order, signed on Sept 19 last year by Commerce Minister Apiradi Tantraporn and then commerce permanent secretary Chutima Bunyapraphasara, who is now deputy commerce minister, the individuals must pay a total of 20 billion baht in compensation for losses incurred by bogus government-to government (G-to-G) rice sales. Mr Boonsong is required to pay 1.77 billion baht and former deputy commerce minister Poom Sarapol 2.3 billion baht.

Four people are required to pay 4 billion baht each: former commerce permanent secretary Weerawut Wajanaphukka, former Department of Foreign Trade director-general Manas Soiploy, his then deputy Tikhumporn Natvaratat and the ex-director of foreign rice trade, Akharapong Theepwatchara.

Ms Ruenvadee said the department will also tell agencies concerned about the seizure order. If land is to be seized, the Land Department will be notified about the plots to be targeted.

Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Kreangam said yesterday he will arrange a meeting of a committee set up to follow up on about 900 cases relating to alleged malfeasance in G-to-G rice deals and pledged rice storage.