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Thailand begins impeachment hearing against former PM Yingluck

Thailand’s National Legislature Assembly (NLA) on January 9 began the first hearing of impeachment proceedings against former Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra.
Thailand’s National Legislature Assembly (NLA) on January 9 beganthe first hearing of impeachment proceedings against former PrimeMinister Yingluck Shinawatra.

The charges relate to Yingluck’salleged role in a government rice subsidy scheme. Howerer, she deniedall the charges in her opening statement, affirming the scheme broughtnumerous benefits to farmers.

If impeached, she could be banned from politics for five years.
The NLA, hand-picked by the junta, plans to deliberate on whetherYingluck neglected her duty and failed to halt the rice subsidyprogramme, which accumulated losses of at least 4 billion USD and madethe country lose its position as the world's leading rice exporter.

She was forced from office in early May by a court verdict that declared she had violated the constitution and abused power.

The next impeachment hearing is scheduled for January 16.-VNA
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