泰国当局调查水稻项目是否有腐败 Thai Authorities to Investigate Rice Program for Corruption

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泰国当局说,他们将开始对政府补贴稻农的项目进行反腐调查,这是备受攻击的英拉总理遭到的最新挫折。

泰国反腐机构星期四宣布了这一举动。泰国反对党抗议人士对此表示欢迎。他们连续多日在曼谷举行反政府示威,要求英拉下台。

按照这个补贴项目,政府以高于市场的价格从泰国那里手中购买稻米。目前,政府手中积压了大批卖不出去的稻米。

批评人士说,这一项目耗费了国家数以百万计美元。他们说,英拉利用补贴争取农村选民的支持。农村人口是她的执政党为泰党的主要票仓。

宣布反腐调查是否会给反对派的抗议运动注入新的活力,还有待观望。抗议运动出现势头减弱的迹象。

反政府抗议者星期四在曼谷的政府税收办公楼外游行。虽然有数千人参加游行,还有很多人留在曼谷各主要路口,继续在那些地段安宁扎寨,但抗议人数正在减少。

Thai authorities say they will start a corruption investigation into a government subsidy program for rice farmers, in the latest setback for embattled Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra.

The country's anti-corruption agency on Thursday announced the move. It was welcomed by Thai opposition protesters who have staged days of anti-government demonstrations in Bangkok calling for Mrs. Yingluck to step down.

Under the program, the government purchased rice from Thai farmers for above market prices. The government is now stuck with large stockpiles of rice it has been unable to sell.

Critics say the program cost the country millions of dollars. They say Mrs. Yingluck used the initiative to win support among the rural population, which represents the main base of her ruling Pheu Thai party.

It is yet to be seen whether the announcement will breathe life into the opposition protest movement, which is showing signs of losing momentum.

Opposition protesters marched outside government revenue offices in Bangkok on Thursday. Though thousands showed up for the march, and many more remained camped out in key intersections throughout the city, the numbers are dwindling.