Yingluck's 35 Billion Baht Appeal Verdict Due from Supreme Admin Court

[webfact]

Yingluck Shinawatra | File photo courtesy of AFP via SCMP

 

The Supreme Administrative Court of Thailand is poised to deliver its long-awaited decision on former Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra’s appeal regarding a substantial 35 billion baht compensation order. This order was imposed by the Finance Ministry in relation to alleged losses incurred through fraudulent government-to-government (G-to-G) rice contracts—a controversy that has entangled Yingluck in legal battles since 2017.

 

Prawit Boothiam, who serves as a vice president of the court, confirmed that significant headway has been made on the case, which has been actively under the court's consideration since 2021. Prawit expressed optimism about reaching a conclusion before the year ends.

 

The contentious issue began with a 2017 Supreme Court ruling, which sentenced Yingluck to five years in prison, in absentia, for her alleged mismanagement of the rice subsidy scheme. Nevertheless, she had already left Thailand, contending that the military government, which ousted her in 2014, would treat her unfairly.

 

In the wake of the sentencing, the Ministry of Finance mandated a hefty 35 billion baht compensation from Yingluck for the purported financial damages linked to the G-to-G rice deals. Yingluck countered this directive by filing an appeal with the Central Administrative Court, which ruled in her favour in 2021.

The court's decision invalidated the Finance Ministry's compensation demand on grounds that the responsibility for the scheme did not rest solely with her, but also involved the Cabinet and the National Rice Policy Committee.

 

The Central Administrative Court acknowledged that while Yingluck was aware of the G-to-G rice contracts, there was no concrete evidence to suggest she was informed about the corrupt practices linked to the sale of rice under those contracts.

 

Unperturbed, the Finance Ministry proceeded to challenge this ruling, escalating the matter to the Supreme Administrative Court, which has since been meticulously examining the case. The upcoming verdict is highly anticipated, not least because it will cap off years of legal wrangling and speculation about Yingluck’s accountability and involvement in the high-profile rice pledging scheme.

 

As the verdict draws near, it represents not just the denouement of Yingluck’s long-standing legal saga but also a significant moment in the legal interpretation of ministerial accountability and executive responsibility within Thai politics, reported The Nation.

 

-- 2025-03-06

 

 

[ozz1]

This is going to be interesting let's see how much power taksin has and how much money has changed hands being Thailand I bet she will be back home soon

[blaze master]

12 minutes ago, ozz1 said:

This is going to be interesting let's see how much power taksin has and how much money has changed hands being Thailand I bet she will be back home soon

 

I'll welcome her back a few times. 

[Geoffggi]

Yingluck has the all-powerful Shinawatra family name so the odds on her losing are very slim to nonexistent, Thaksin's influence once again rewrites Thailand's history books in the families Favour

[JoePai]

 Sentence reduced to 6 months in hospital

[watchcat]

51 minutes ago, JoePai said:

 Sentence reduced to 6 months in hospital

 

Very likely.

[Jim Blue]

Let's start a go fund her !

[Purdey]

If they can find evidence on paper or computer showing she knew about the corruption, ok. But this all looks like the bum's rush.

[jippytum]

Thaksin's political manipulation will be on show once more to ensure his sister has a jail free return to Thailand. 

[Watawattana]

She should get away with a wai and a 500 baht fine 😆

[mfd101]

38 minutes ago, jippytum said:

Thaksin's political manipulation will be on show once more to ensure his sister has a jail free return to Thailand. 

And what is your view of her actual guilt in the matter?