Yingluck statement on rice scheme
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Yingluck statement on rice scheme

Former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra posts a statement to defend the rice-pledging scheme on her Facebook page.
Former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra posts a statement to defend the rice-pledging scheme on her Facebook page.

"The Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions has decided to accept the indictment for further proceedings against me on charges of negligence in the rice pledging scheme."

Throughout my time as prime minister, I did my job serving all Thais with utmost honesty and integrity based on the principles of democracy with a constitutional monarchy. I also adhered strictly to all clauses as stipulated in the constitution and all related laws and regulations. I only wished to see our country prosper where all Thais are given equal opportunities, in particular the rice farmers, as they have long suffered from unfair treatment.

I would like to emphasise here again that the accusations directed towards me under the rice-pledging policy set a new precedent. It is the first case related to the implementation of fundamental economic policy that was supported by the majority of Thais under the principles of democracy. The rice-pledging scheme helped promote fairness in the market mechanism and enhanced the living standards of the rice farmers.

Prior to the scheme, the farmers worked hard as producers but had no influence on the price in the market as the bargaining power was all in the hands of a small group of buyers. Therefore, the case does not only directly affect the economic and political systems but more importantly, the decision of future governments on the implementation of policies for the benefit of all Thai citizens.

I note that "rule of law" was not applied in the proceedings in my case, which should be a basic right of all Thais in order to ensure justice for the accused. As evident in the incident where the report and finding materials from the National Anti-Corruption Commission stated that "the evidence that I engaged in corruption or allowed for corruption to take place does not exist", but they made the decision to indict me in spite of making such a statement. Subsequently, the Office of the Auditor-General also failed to undertake sufficient investigation and rushed to file the charges. These procedures and actions indicate that the accused did not received justice.

Despite the fact that the Supreme Court has decided to accept the charges, I remain confident that I am innocent and I believe in the evidence that will be presented during the court proceedings that will prove that I am not guilty of any wrongdoing. I can only hope that the Supreme Court proceedings will be fair and I will be given access and adequate opportunity to present facts and evidence to support my case while on trial.

More importantly, I hope that the Supreme Court proceeds with a view to achieving accurate findings and does so in a transparent manner free from any prejudice. This is because I feel that in the past I have not been given such rights and there was frequent political interference in the case in order to target me personally.

Finally, I would like to kindly request that all sides refrain from any criticisms or engage in actions for political gain until the completion of the trial, so that justice may one day return to Thai society.


Yingluck Shinawatra is a former prime minister. This statement is unofficially translated by the Pheu Thai Party from her Facebook page.

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