Yingluck & former ministers called on to pay compensation for rice scheme

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BANGKOK, 18 September 2015 – The government is preparing to order former PM Yingluck Shinawatra and former Cabinet members to pay 510 billion baht in compensation for their involvement in the graft-ridden rice subsidy scheme.

A fact-finding committee has concluded that Ms. Yingluck has to pay 500 billion baht in compensation for damage incurred by the rice pledging project approved during her administration.

Former Commerce Minister Boonsong Teriyapirom and former Deputy Commerce Minister Phum Sarapol may have to pay 10 billion baht in compensation.

Deputy PM for legal affairs Wissanu Krea-ngam said he would seek Prime Ministerial approval from General Prayut Chan-o-cha on this issue by September 30, so that the Ministry of Finance can issue the order for compensation.

Ms. Yingluck and her former Cabinet members may appeal against the order in the Administrative Court. If the court upholds the Ministry of Finance’s demand, the trio will have to pay compensation immediately following the court’s ruling.