Agriculture Ministry warns farmers of fraudulent claim about UN’s lending

BANGKOK, June 23 – The Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives has dismissed a claim that Panpee Group (Thai Laos Cambodia) Co is a member of the United Nations and is ready to lend UN funds to farmers in exchange for contract farming deals and fees. Lertviroj Kowattana, permanent secretary of the ministry, quoted the UN Resident Coordinator as saying that the UN did not implement any agricultural development project through a company and the claim seemed fraudulent. The company mentioned the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization but the UNRC said that the FAO offered more academic assistance than financial one and its activities must be approved by the local government. Panpee Group (Thai Laos Cambodia) never applied for a membership with the FAO and was not a supplier of the FAO, Mr Lertviroj said. Peerapan Kotong, deputy spokesman of the Agriculture and Cooperatives Ministry, said all provincial governors were informed of the matter and ordered to warn local people and investigate the company’s activities and networks. He also said victims of the company could file complaints with local police. (TNA)