Thailand's Yingluck faces trial and political ruin

[Lite Beer]

Thailand's Yingluck faces trial and political ruin
Bangkok, Thailand | AFP |

BANGKOK: -- Thailand's first female prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra faces court Tuesday at the start of a negligence trial which could see her jailed for a decade and deliver a hammer blow to the political dominance of her family.


It is the latest legal move against Yingluck -- sister of fugitive billionaire ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra -- whose administration was toppled in a military coup nearly a year ago.


She is accused of criminal negligence over a populist but economically disastrous rice subsidy scheme, which paid farmers in the rural Shinawatra heartland twice the market rate for their crops.


Yingluck is not accused of corruption but of failing to prevent alleged graft within the programme, which cost billions of dollars and galvanised the protests that eventually felled her elected government leading to last May's coup.


Thailand's military-appointed parliament impeached Yingluck in January over the scheme, a move which banned her from politics for five years.


But the criminal case could see her jailed for up to a decade, an outcome that could ruin any chance of an imminent political comeback if and when the military eventually hand back power.


Analysts say the trial is the latest move by Thailand's military rulers to neuter the Shinawatra clan since they seized power.


"This trial is being brought in order to permanently remove Yingluck from the political scene," said Paul Chambers, director of research at the Institute of South East Asian Affairs in Chiang Mai.


"But placing her behind bars -- a friendly, female ex-prime minister -- would make her look like a martyr," he told AFP.


Pavin Chachavalpongpun, a Thai politics expert at Kyoto University in Japan, said convicting Yingluck risked enraging the Shinawatra's "Red Shirt" support base, who have largely remained quiescent since the coup.


"Putting her in jail may unnecessarily resurrect the Red Shirts and force them to come out and fight against the NCPO," he said, referring to the junta's official name, the National Council for Peace and Order.





- Play nice Thaksin -




However Thitinan Pongsudhirak, a Thai politics expert at Chulalongkorn University, believes the military intend to use the threat of Yingluck's prosecution as a way to keep the Shinawatra clan subdued, rather than push for an actual conviction.


"The criminal and other charges against her will be bogged down in red tape as long as she and other forces loyal to her brother Thaksin behave and play nice. If they agitate and mobilise against the coup, then the noose will tighten on her," he told AFP.


Yingluck herself has defended the controversial rice scheme as one which "lifted the quality of life for rice farmers" in the poor northeast of a country where subsidies to farmers have long been a cornerstone of Thai politics.


"As prime minister I was always honest and served the Thai people, who voted for my government. I have not done anything wrong at all," she wrote in a Facebook statement in February after the charges against her were first announced.


The army takeover last year was the latest twist in a decade of turbulent politics in Thailand.


Thaksin, who was toppled by a previous coup in 2006 and now lives in self-exile to avoid jail on a corruption charge, sits at the heart of the political rupture.


His influence persists with Shinawatra-allied parties drawing the loyalty of the rural north as well as many among the urban working and middle class for recognising changing social and economic aspirations.


The Shinawatras, or parties allied to them, have won every Thai election since 2001.


But the policeman-turned-telecoms tycoon is loathed by much of the country's royalist elite, which is backed by parts of the military and judiciary.


The Shinawatra family have faced two coups and the removal of three of their premiers by the Thai courts while several deadly rounds of protest have rocked Bangkok and dragged on the Thai economy.


The junta will also this week discuss whether to hold a referendum on a new constitution billed as necessary to heal the country's divides, curb corruption and expunge cronyism.


It has said it will hold fresh elections in early 2016 but a referendum could see the timescale pushed back by months.

-- (c) Copyright AFP 2015-05-17

[saltandpepper]

AFP ....Ahahaha

What a load of biased craps...

[waitforusalso]

AFP ....Ahahaha

What a load of biased craps...

Spot on actually!

[zaphod reborn]

AFP ....Ahahaha

What a load of biased craps...

Agreed, why would they label the rice pledging scheme as "populist" and quote Yingluck as saying the program "lifted the quality of life for rice farmers". It was never intended to transfer wealth to poor rice farmers. instead, it was intended to pad the bank accounts of rice millers, warehouse operators, smugglers and other political cronies who could bilk the program and raid government coffers. Unfortunately, the scheme defrauded the very people who elected her to office, robbing them of their harvest and the true power of their votes.

[z42]

Yingluck said on her facebook page "i have not done anything wrong at all".

So all the lying, false promises, inflammatory foreign speeches and zero attendance records for rice meetings were completely kosher then. Alright.

She deserves to be locked up. Any normal person would be. 1 law should be applicable to all after all

[torpedo1970]

Yingluck is not accused of corruption but of failing to prevent alleged graft within the programme, which cost billions of dollars and galvanised the protests that eventually felled her elected government leading to last May's coup.

So now for the first time in history, they are actually going to hold "someone" accountable....

Such a terrible thing that is done, it must be a foreigner done it...... No Thai would do such a terrible thing........

Im no fan of the shopping crazed woman that acted as a PM on her brothers behalf.... BUT this is too stupid even for Thailand...

Criminal Negligence this in a country where you cant trust anybody (even family) as far as you can throw them....

Amazing

TIT

[NongKhaiKid]

Political Ruin ?

Does she really want a political career ?

[h90]

rich people don't go in jail

[Robby nz]

That would have to be the biggest load of bias garbage that AFP have ever produced.

For a start only18 % of poor farmers qualified for the scheme.

The scheme has left rice farmers deeper in debt than they have ever been.

The protests were not about the rice pledging scheme they were over the amnesty bill and the rampant corruption within the PT Govt.

From there on it gets worse and worse.

The corrupt and those negligent in the their duty to the country and people they pledge to serve must be shown that they are accountable to the law of the land.

Bringing Yingluck and those around her to account for the rice pledging scheme is only the first step in this and it must be carried on to show those who would enter politics in the future that they can and will be held accountable for their actions or inactions.

Edited May 17, 2015 by Robby nz

[Thaddeus]

I doubt that she will be phazed at all by her political life being ruined.

Seize the family's assets (the whole family) and distribute them evenly amongst the people they were supposed to help.

Tough Love.

[trogers]

rich people don't go in jail

They become fugitives.

[Fat Haggis]

That would have to be the biggest load of bias garbage that AFP have ever produced.

For a start only18 % of poor farmers qualified for the scheme.

The scheme has left rice farmers deeper in debt than they have ever been.

The protests were not about the rice pledging scheme they were over the amnesty bill and the rampant corruption within the PT Govt.

From there on it gets worse and worse.

The corrupt and those negligent in the their duty to the country and people they pledge to serve must be shown that they are accountable to the law of the land.

Bringing Yingluck and those around her to account for the rice pledging scheme is only the first step in this and it must be carried on to show those who would enter politics in the future that they can and will be held accountable for their actions or inactions.

You say this about AFP all the time you're about as predictable as the Sunday junta polls ?

[marko kok prong]

I doubt that she will be phazed at all by her political life being ruined.

Seize the family's assets (the whole family) and distribute them evenly amongst the people they were supposed to help.

Tough Love.

I beleive her assets alone are around 64 million baht.

[rametindallas]

Thailand's Yingluck faces trial and political ruin

I'm waiting for the headline, Thailand's Yingluck faces trial, prison, and financial ruin.

That'll be the day. I'm not holding my breath that she will actually get any real punishment. Because politics in not in her blood, a political ban would only mean she wouldn't have to follow Big Brother's orders again.

[ezzra]

She should have done a runner when she had the chance.....

[Oziex1]

She could try this one

"When the President does it, that means it's not illegal."

[rametindallas]

I doubt that she will be phazed at all by her political life being ruined.

Seize the family's assets (the whole family) and distribute them evenly amongst the people they were supposed to help.

Tough Love.

I beleive her assets alone are around 64 million baht.

There is no telling how much money her brother deposited in offshore accounts for her for doing his bidding and for her share of the skim from the rice scheme. 64 million is probably chicken feed compared to that.

[JAG]

Political Ruin ?

Does she really want a political career ?

in the medium to long term it could be the political making of her.

Imprisonment, if it comes to that, is unlikely, in her case to be an unduly onerous experience. It will ensure that when the junta hands over power/ is forced from power she is in a prime position to come back.

A ban from politics, isued under a military junta is unlikely to survive in an environment where Pheu Thai or whatever succeeds them is in power, with popular support.

[Baerboxer]

That would have to be the biggest load of bias garbage that AFP have ever produced.

For a start only18 % of poor farmers qualified for the scheme.

The scheme has left rice farmers deeper in debt than they have ever been.

The protests were not about the rice pledging scheme they were over the amnesty bill and the rampant corruption within the PT Govt.

From there on it gets worse and worse.

The corrupt and those negligent in the their duty to the country and people they pledge to serve must be shown that they are accountable to the law of the land.

Bringing Yingluck and those around her to account for the rice pledging scheme is only the first step in this and it must be carried on to show those who would enter politics in the future that they can and will be held accountable for their actions or inactions.

You say this about AFP all the time you're about as predictable as the Sunday junta polls ?

Did it occur to you the reason for that predictability is because he's right?

AFP are tosspots who are either too lazy to bother with the facts, serve their own or someone else's agenda, or simply incompetent.

Do you think all those protests, millions on the street were sparked off by the rice scheme then?

[Baerboxer]

Political Ruin ?

Does she really want a political career ?

in the medium to long term it could be the political making of her.

Imprisonment, if it comes to that, is unlikely, in her case to be an unduly onerous experience. It will ensure that when the junta hands over power/ is forced from power she is in a prime position to come back.

A ban from politics, isued under a military junta is unlikely to survive in an environment where Pheu Thai or whatever succeeds them is in power, with popular support.

Do you really think she ever wanted or still wants to be a career politician?

More likely, should the clan ever manage to get back in control, she'll be put in another position her brother deems necessary. Might be PM or DM or FM or whatever. Simply filling the key positions with trusted puppets, lackeys, cronies and most importantly family members who will do as told - without and conscience or ethics. The usual Thaksin hierarchy. She's never shown any interest or capability to do any real work.

Pheu Thai tried granting all the clan and their owner complete amnesty before. Maybe they are arrogant enough to try again.

[Baerboxer]

She should have done a runner when she had the chance.....

Never has the chance, brother won't let her. He wants a martyr. Chance to really stir things up if she's convicted and sentenced harshly. Stir up trouble internally while pleading politically motivated biased injustice externally.Sounds like the criminal at work,

[lewy67]

Will the junta stacked, kangaroo court, create the first BIG red martyr of this decade long saga by jailing Yingluk? Would be interesting to see what would happen if they did.

[Baerboxer]

"Yingluck herself has defended the controversial rice scheme as one which "lifted the quality of life for rice farmers" in the poor northeast of a country where subsidies to farmers have long been a cornerstone of Thai politics."
"As prime minister I was always honest and served the Thai people, who voted for my government. I have not done anything wrong at all," she wrote in a Facebook statement in February after the charges against her were first announced.

Interesting.

The World Bank disagreed about the scheme delivering much to the farmers. Prove otherwise Yingluck.

This was not a subsidy, but a self financing scheme. Why was it out of the budget Yingluck if it was a subsidy?

Honest - all the lies, the false promises, the false vows, letting a non elected criminal control the country. How is that honesty Yingluck?

Served the people - your record of attending parliament and committees as chair or member was what exactly Yingluck?

Served the Thai people who voted for my government - What about the majority of Thai people who didn't vote for your government? Don't those count Yingluck?

Do you actually know the difference between right and wrong Yingluck? You were removed for breaking the law, you allowed a passport to illegally by issued to your criminal brother and have refused to answer questions on that. Do you consider that breaking the law is not doing something wrong?

She still seems to believe she was/is entitled to do just what she wants, and that's her entitlement because she's a Shin,

Hope she has more to offer as a defense. The "I'm a nice, honest girlie who's never done anything wrong at all" bullshite should be laughed out of court.

Edited May 17, 2015 by Baerboxer

[Baerboxer]

Will the junta stacked, kangaroo court, create the first BIG red martyr of this decade long saga by jailing Yingluk? Would be interesting to see what would happen if they did.

Will the guilty without a doubt Yingluck get off simply by saying she's honest?

Lying, cheating, breaking laws, are considered ethical by PTP - they said so. Their owner and controller does it. they all do it, so she was simply doing what everyone else did. Case dismissed, wipe away those tears and celebrate with some more mega shopping.

[rubl]

I doubt that she will be phazed at all by her political life being ruined.

Seize the family's assets (the whole family) and distribute them evenly amongst the people they were supposed to help.

Tough Love.

I beleive her assets alone are around 64 million baht.

There is no telling how much money her brother deposited in offshore accounts for her for doing his bidding and for her share of the skim from the rice scheme. 64 million is probably chicken feed compared to that.

2015-02-04

"Her declaration stated that she and her son had Bt615 million in assets and some Bt30 million in liabilities, based on the money she owes her brother.

She did not include the assets of her unregistered partner in the declaration."

http://news.asiaone.com/news/asia/yinglucks-assets-grew-450000-after-stint-mp

Edited May 17, 2015 by rubl

[rubl]

AFP ....Ahahaha

What a load of biased craps...

Spot on actually!

Well, when you describe the Rice Price Pledge Scheme you would called it "self-financing" like Ms. Yingluck and her Minister of Finance did, not a subsidy with costs budgeted in the National Budget.

Had Ms. Yingluck positioned her RPPS as subsidy and claimed 100 billion Baht reservation in the National Budget she wouldn't be where she'll be on Tuesday.

[NongKhaiKid]

Political Ruin ?

Does she really want a political career ?

in the medium to long term it could be the political making of her.

Imprisonment, if it comes to that, is unlikely, in her case to be an unduly onerous experience. It will ensure that when the junta hands over power/ is forced from power she is in a prime position to come back.

A ban from politics, isued under a military junta is unlikely to survive in an environment where Pheu Thai or whatever succeeds them is in power, with popular support.

Do you really think she ever wanted or still wants to be a career politician?

More likely, should the clan ever manage to get back in control, she'll be put in another position her brother deems necessary. Might be PM or DM or FM or whatever. Simply filling the key positions with trusted puppets, lackeys, cronies and most importantly family members who will do as told - without and conscience or ethics. The usual Thaksin hierarchy. She's never shown any interest or capability to do any real work.

Pheu Thai tried granting all the clan and their owner complete amnesty before. Maybe they are arrogant enough to try again.

Spot the difference, Thaksin put his people in position and Prayuth has done exactly the same.

[rubl]

Will the junta stacked, kangaroo court, create the first BIG red martyr of this decade long saga by jailing Yingluk? Would be interesting to see what would happen if they did.

To prevent creating a martyr the court should ignore all evidence and let the poor little Amply Rich girl go?

[Plutojames88]

Some people here may Harbor hatreds and accuse her of being an evil decietful person , and feel the judicial process ahead will be balanced and Just.

Others will see a bias and difficult process where the verdict is pre- ordained to be Guilty.

Either way it's likely the outcome for her will not be nice.

YS came to Australia and was very warmly received and respected.

Australia bans all the current Thai government from setting foot in this country.

America had its leader meet here in Bangkok for a state dinner and she seemed thrilled to host Obama.

She isn't perceived unfavourably in the international community.

Depmestically , she is adored and her inner workings not in question.

With that said it would be foolish for the Miliatry with such a smelly political dead fish around its neck , in the form of both article 44 , The charter , and human rights abuses diminishing its reputation .

Sanctions , would cripple the military and their ability to govern.

She has indeed friends in high places , they ought to remember that.

A master stroke on her part could be to simply walk into the America Embassy and seek their help.

What would a military government do?

Entering the grounds of a United States Embassy isn't exactly a smart move.

The reality is the Americans recognise the judicial in Thailand to be questionable given recent rulings and the article 44 position.

It would certainly make for the Chinese to advice going in and getting her.

While the Americans would make it an issue if they did.

Certainly , it's unlikely Obama would hand her over .

Getting her out would be a case of US operations .

That would be backed by the entire free world .

They made an error either way.

If she turns up goes through a long process until she is eventually jailed .

The fuse will be ignited and the grim times ahead start without pretence.

And whose side do you think Washington will be on?

This quiet and peace is about to end beginning with this trial .

[jayboy]

That would have to be the biggest load of bias garbage that AFP have ever produced.

For a start only18 % of poor farmers qualified for the scheme.

The scheme has left rice farmers deeper in debt than they have ever been.

The protests were not about the rice pledging scheme they were over the amnesty bill and the rampant corruption within the PT Govt.

From there on it gets worse and worse.

The corrupt and those negligent in the their duty to the country and people they pledge to serve must be shown that they are accountable to the law of the land.

Bringing Yingluck and those around her to account for the rice pledging scheme is only the first step in this and it must be carried on to show those who would enter politics in the future that they can and will be held accountable for their actions or inactions.

The crazies have started foaming at the mouth because unaccountably a fair minded report sets out the facts.