Former Thai PM Yingluck Shinawatra impeached over controversial rice scheme

Former Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra was impeached by the National Legislative Assembly (NLA) on Friday for dereliction of duty in a controversial rice subsidy scheme.

The decision was approved by a vote of 190-18, with eight abstentions.

Yingluck, 47, was banned from politics for five years.

Earlier in the morning, the Office of the Attorney-General (OAG) announced that it would launch a criminal case against Yingluck for negligence in the same rice scheme.

Citing sufficient evidence, the OAG said it would forward the criminal charges to the Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions in one month.

If found guilty, Yingluck could face a maximum jail term of 10 years.

Meanwhile, the NLA voted to reject impeachment against former Senate Speaker Nikhom Wairatpanich and former House Speaker Somsak Kiatsuranon.

The National Anti-Corruption Commission had recommended the impeachment against the two politicians for their role in passing an amendment to change the composition of the Senate in September 2013. The amendment was later ruled unconstitutional by the Constitutional Court.

Nikhom received 95 votes of impeachment while Somsak got 100, both short of the required number of 132 in the 220-seat NLA.