Yingluck sentenced five years in jail

BANGKOK, Sept 27 (TNA) – Fugitive former prime minister, Yingluck Shinwatra was sentenced in absentia to five years for negligence in overseeing a loss-ridden rice subsidy programme. The Supreme Court on Wednesday handed down the verdict today after Ms Yingluck failed to show up for the Aug 25 verdict and have made no public appearance since then. The former prime minister has the right to appeal within 30 days but she needs to lodge the appeal by herself, according to the court. The judge said the sentence will not be suspended. Under the rice scheme, Yingluck’s government bought rice from farmers at above-market prices, leading to stockpiles of the grain. She was charged with dereliction of duty for failing to stop the rice-pledging scheme despite warnings by concerned authorities. (TNA)