Politics Ex-Thai PM Yingluck Condemns 10 Billion Baht Court Order, Calls It "Deeply Unjust"

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In a striking declaration on social media, former Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has launched a powerful critique against a recent ruling by Thailand's Supreme Administrative Court. The court has ordered her to recompense approximately 10 billion baht (£228 million) as damages related to her administration’s controversial rice-pledging scheme. Yingluck vehemently contests the decision, emphasising that she has never been formally named a defendant in the case.

 

The judgement arrives amid the backdrop of deep-seated political tensions in Thailand, casting a long shadow over the country’s judiciary independence, as cited by critics. Yingluck’s statement, shared via her official Facebook page, coincided with the 11th anniversary of the 2014 military coup, which not only removed her from office but has also left prolonged impacts on her political and personal life.

 

Yingluck's Facebook post described the court’s decision as "deeply unjust," voicing disbelief over her liability for losses attributed to agencies she asserts were beyond her control. She highlighted a previous ruling from a lower court, which found her not financially liable, contrasting sharply with the current verdict that places the full burden on her.

 

The rice-pledging scheme, a cornerstone policy during Yingluck’s administration, was designed to elevate the income of rice farmers by purchasing their crops at above-market prices, thereby improving livelihoods at the grassroots level. However, the programme reportedly incurred substantial financial losses, triggering intense scrutiny and controversy. Critics blamed the scheme for distorting market practices and ballooning public debt.

 

Yingluck, however, staunchly defends the initiative, asserting its aim was to stimulate the economy and lift millions of farming families from poverty. She argued the decision-making and implementation followed proper bureaucratic procedures and dismissed allegations of personal mismanagement.

 

In addition to refuting the court's ruling, Yingluck questioned why alleged mismanagement of rice stocks post-coup, leading to significant losses when quality rice was declared rotten, has not been thoroughly probed. This inconsistency, in her view, indicates selective justice practices within the country's legal system.

 

Her extensive critique also addressed the broader context of political and legal challenges she’s faced since the coup, noting efforts to freeze her assets and pursue politically charged lawsuits. Yingluck expressed concern over what she sees as a weaponisation of legal processes against democratically elected officials, warning of dire consequences for the principle of fairness in Thai law.

 

The case has reignited debates about judicial impartiality and political persecution in Thailand. Observers note that such legal battles reflect deeper fractures within Thai society, impacting governance, economic stability, and civil rights. Yingluck’s case is emblematic of the ongoing struggle between Thailand’s entrenched political establishments and reformist movements seeking change.

 

In closing, Yingluck's message on her social media underscored a plea for equitable treatment under the law, not just for leaders but for all Thai citizens, as a fundamental cornerstone of a just and democratic society. The resolution of this case could have lasting implications for Thailand's political landscape and its international reputation regarding judicial fairness.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Bangkok Post 2025-05-23