Commerce Minister Porntiva Nakasai insisted yesterday that the rice auction was corruption-free, thanks to scrutiny by various agencies including the PM's Office, and that no rice traders were asked to pay upfront fees to enter a bid.

Asking for over 1 million tonnes each are Singtothong Rice Corp, Vuthikavee, Chaiyaporn Rice and Food Products and Capital Cereals. They quoted Bt13,000-Bt14,600 for the 2008/09 crop.

An industry source said the sale may collapse as politicians back different companies, and they may clash.

Source: The Nation