Thai ex-pm ordered to pay $300 mil. over failed rice scheme
A former Thai prime minister has been ordered to pay about 300-million dollars' damages over a controversial rice subsidy program more than a decade ago. Yingluck Shinawatra served as Thailand's leader for 3 years from 2011.
The Supreme Administrative Court said on Thursday that Yingluck's administration failed to curb corruption over rice deals that caused losses to the state.
The aim of the program was to support farmers' incomes by buying rice from them at prices higher than market value. It was a flagship policy, but led to a large amount of crops going stockpiled and unsold.
Yingluck said on Facebook she had no intention to inflict damage and was being held responsible "for a debt I did not cause." She pledged to continue to fight for justice.
Yingluck was Thailand's first female prime minister. She is a member of the billionaire Shinawatra family. Former Thai leader Thaksin is her older brother and his daughter is the current Prime Minister Paetongtarn.
Yingluck's administration implemented policies such as the rice subsidy scheme to appeal to farmers and low-income groups. She was ousted in 2014 shortly before a military coup, following huge anti-government protests.
Yingluck left Thailand before being sentenced to 5 years in prison for criminal negligence over the rice program. She has since lived in self-imposed exile.
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