Former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra has 15 days to defend herself against charges relating to compensation payments to victims during political protests between 2005 and 2010, the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) says.
Ms Yingluck yesterday failed to appear before commissioners as requested to formally hear misconduct and abuse of authority charges, the second time she has declined to turn up.
She did not send a representative either, NACC chairman Panthep Klanarongran said.
She was originally scheduled to meet the graft-busters on June 9. Because she did not attend that meeting, commissioners gave her until yesterday to acknowledge the charges.
The NACC has brought the charges against the ex-PM and 33 other ministers, arguing they abused their authority in pushing through a 2 billion baht compensation scheme, despite the fact there was no legal basis supporting it.
Mr Panthep said documents detailing the charges will be mailed to Ms Yingluck. She will then have 15 days to defend herself, either in person or by submitting a statement and relevant documents to the anti-graft body. "If she fails to do so, the NACC will rule on the case based on what we already know," he said.
Of the 34 accused, 10 have acknowledged the accusations against them while 13 were allowed by the NACC to postpone their meetings, after they submitted formal requests.
Ms Yingluck and seven others did not contact the anti-graft body, while former interior minister Jarupong Ruangsuwan is still in exile in the United States.
Former foreign minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul and former defence minister Sukampol Suwanathat have denied the NACC charges, claiming the commission's decision to press charges was illegitimate, due to alleged misconduct by graft-buster Phakdee Photisiri.
Mr Surapong claimed Mr Phakdee failed to resign from the board of Thai Watana Pharmaceuticals Dextrose within the 15 days required following his nomination as an NACC member.