Ex Thai prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra impeached

Thailand's junta-appointed legislature impeached former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra and banned her from politics for five years on Friday, while the attorney general's office announced it will file criminal charges against her.

The charges against Thailand's first female prime minister, who was removed from office for abuse of power in May days before a military coup, concern her role in scheme that paid farmers above market prices for rice and cost Thailand billions of dollars.

The National Anti-Corruption Commission investigating the case says Ms Yingluck was negligent for failing to stop losses from the programme.

Ms Yingluck was impeached Friday by a vote of 190-18 in the 220-member National Legislative Assembly (NLA), which was hand-picked by the junta and is dominated by active or former military officers.

There were eight “no votes”, three invalid ballots and one member was absent.

Ms Yingluck argues the allegations are politically motivated and has defended the rice program as a way to boost incomes in rural areas.

“Banning me for five years would be a violation of my basic rights,” Ms Yingluck said in an almost hour-long address to the NLA on Thursday, prior to the vote.

“This case that is aimed solely against me has a hidden agenda, it is politically driven.”

If found guilty of criminal charges, Ms Yingluck would face a maximum of 10 years in prison.

Agencies