Ex-Thai PM Yingluck to stand trial in Supreme Court over troubled rice subsidy scheme

Thailand’s former premier Yingluck Shinawatra was today ordered to stand trial on charges of negligence over a bungled rice subsidy scheme, in a case that could see her jailed for up to a decade.

The decision is the latest legal move against Yingluck, Thailand’s first female prime minister and sister of fugitive ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra, which could spell the end of her family’s political dominance.

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

“The panel [of judges] has decided that this case falls within our authority … We accept this case,” said judge Veeraphol Tangsuwan at Bangkok’s Supreme Court, adding that the first hearing will be held on May 19.

Prosecutor Surasak Srirattantrakul said in a press conference that a court writ and case files will be brought to the defendant within seven days and, on the day of the first hearing, Yingluck must appear before court to hear the charge and to testify.