"The Agriculture and Cooperatives Ministry has decided to end the role of... horticulturist Rapee Sagarik in the forthcoming Royal Flora Ratchaphruek 2006 in Chiang Mai after he made remarks critical of the multi-billion-baht exposition.
... Rapee... had been approached by the ministry to serve as an honorary president of the event. ... Rapee... gave an interview to Matichon newspaper, saying the exhibition might fall short of international standards and was plagued with questionable transparency in the arrangements. He also said the preparations went on at a snail's pace. His remarks sparked concern among those involved with the event, especially a Chiang Mai-based orchid grower's group. A source said the group was considering withdrawing from the event. The Agriculture and Cooperative Ministry yesterday said... Rapee had nothing to do with the approval or the readiness of the exhibition because his role in the event was as an adviser to the orchid exhibition and competition, on behalf of the Thailand Orchid Association." Article URL : http://www.bangkokpost.com/News/09Sep2006_news04.php ********* Regards, VB _______________________________________________ the OrchidGuide Digest (OGD) orchids@orchidguide.com http://orchidguide.com/mailman/listinfo/orchids_orchidguide.com
