Testimonies on Thai government's rice-pledging scheme continued

BANGKOK, April 17 (TNA) - Four additional witnesses of Thailand's Caretaker Prime Minister and Defence Minister are scheduled to testify with the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) on the caretaker prime minister's roles in her administration's loss-ridden rice-pledging scheme this week. Police Major General Thawat Boonfuang, Deputy Secretary-General to the Prime Minister, first testified before the anti-graft panel on Thursday. The other three additional witnesses of the caretaker prime minister, whom the anti-graft panel has agreed to hear their testimonies, include Caretaker Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister Niwatthamrong Bunsongphaisan, Caretaker Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Kittirat Na-Ranong and Caretaker Deputy Commerce Minister Yanyong Phuangrach. The caretaker deputy prime minister and finance minister is scheduled to testify with the NACC on April 18. The NACC is also considering the caretaker prime minister's request to have two more witnesses, namely Director-General of the Ministry of Finance's Fiscal Policy Office (FPO) Somchai Sujjapongse and Secretary-General to the Cabinet Ampon Kittiampon. If the NACC accepts both as witnesses, its indictment decision in the case will be delayed from early next month. Meanwhile, the anti-government People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC), which has fighted through its street protests since last October to oust the caretaker prime minister and her administration, continued persuading state enterprise employees to join its next huge rally after the Songkran long holiday period. PDRC leaders brought their demonstrators to the Government Pharmaceutical Organization (GPO) on Rama VI Road in Bangkok on Thursday morning to woo support for their movements. Some state enterprise unions joined the demonstration. PDRC leaders are scheduled to meet on Thursday afternoon to discuss their movements in response to the lifted bail of pro-government demonstration leaders Jatuporn Promphan and Nattawut Saikuar. They were also expected to exchange their views on the updated domestic political situation, coup rumors and upcoming rulings of independent organizations. PDRC members in Krabi Province in the Thai South were also setting up their stage to organize a big rally simultaneously with PDRC members in Bangkok, with local PDRC leaders to deliver their speeches on Thursday evening before, expectedly, crowds of supporters. Demonstrators of the Network of Students and People for Reform of Thailand (NSPRT), in the meantime, remained at their rally site near the Chamai Maruchet Bridge beside Bangkok's Government House. (TNA)