NACC investigates old cassava, rice deals

The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) yesterday began an official probe into three separate cases involving cassava sale scandals, as well as a bogus government-to-government rice deal.

According to Isara News Agency, a subcommittee set up by the NACC wrapped up its work and presented the cases for consideration by the anti-graft agency yesterday.

The first involves accusations made against Pornthiwa Nakasai, a former commerce minister and others in connection with the release of cassava stocks for domestic use under the cassava market intervention scheme between 2008 and 2009.

Another case involves accusations against former deputy prime minister Trairong Suwannakhiri and others in connection with a government-to-government cassava deal under the same scheme.

The third relates to claims brought against former commerce minister Boonsong Teriyapirom and others over a G2G cassava deal in 2013.

Another case involving a separate G2G rice deal was also put on the NACC’s agenda yesterday. About 71 suspects are implicated in the last case. They include fugitive former prime ministers, Thaksin Shinawatra and Yingluck Shinawatra, according to Isara News Agency.

Boonsong, currently serving a prison term for his involvement in a bogus rice deal during Yingluck’s administration, is expected to be called to testify in the new case, the agency said.

Boonsong, who was sentenced to 48 years by the Supreme Court, has since had his term commuted to 10 years and eight months. He is due for release in April 2028.