Former Thai PM appears in court to answer junta charges

By CS Thana

BANGKOK

Former Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has appeared in court to give testimony against charges of negligence levied at her by the military junta.

Shinawatra, flanked by hundred of red-clad supporters, appeared outside the court steps Friday where she called for a fair trial.

"I know that the rice [subsidy] scheme benefited hundreds of poor farmers around the country," Shinawatra -- facing up to ten years in jail -- told reporters.

During her time as prime minister between 2011 and 2014, Shinawatra launched a scheme under which rice was bought from farmers at twice the market price with a stated objective of improving their life conditions.

Shinawatra’s political opponents criticized the scheme, saying that it was ill conceived, brought massive financial losses to the state and was riddled with corruption.

The junta -- who overthrew Shinawatra's government in a May 2014 coup -- said earlier this week that corruption and losses from the scheme totaled 287 billion baht ($8.20 billion).

The former premier also urged citizens to get out and vote Sunday, when the country holds a constitutional referendum, adding that it was an important moment for Thailand.

The Aug. 7 ballot will ask voters if they approve or reject a draft constitution written by a military-appointed committee of legal experts.

Academics, media and party leaders on both sides of the political spectrum have criticized the draft as it allows for a senate fully appointed by the junta and for a non-elected “outsider” to become prime minister.

Shinawatra released a statement on social media Tuesday saying she would reject the suggested constitution because it was undemocratic.

Despite the rice subsidy scheme causing massive losses to the country, the Shinawatras -- Yingluck and her brother Thaksin (also a former prime minister) -- are widely supported within the rural population, who enjoyed prosperity under various populist schemes put in place by Thaksin, including universal healthcare and subsidy schemes.