Yingluck issues statement following court decree for over 10 billion baht in damages
Former Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra took to her personal Facebook page on May 22, 2025, to respond to the Supreme Administrative Court's ruling ordering her to pay over 10 billion baht in damages related to the controversial rice pledging scheme.
In her heartfelt message, Yingluck argued that she was a victim of political injustice, emphasizing her position as the head of the executive branch, forced to bear liabilities caused by operational officials in which she had no direct involvement. She contended that the rice pledging scheme was her government's attempt to help impoverished farmers sell their produce at higher prices, ensuring they could afford to live and send their children to school.
The Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Political Office Holders had ruled that Yingluck was only negligent in managing the rice pledging scheme. Nevertheless, she expressed her frustration that she alone was held responsible for the damages. According to Yingluck, repaying the 10 billion baht debt would take a lifetime and would never be fully paid off despite her tireless efforts to keep rice prices high and stable for the benefit of farm families.
Criticizing the lack of accountability for alleged corruption beyond her case, Yingluck pointed out ongoing reports of good rice being sold as spoiled rice and over 18.9 million tons of rice remaining in warehouses being sold at prices far below market value, with no progress in investigations or identifying responsible parties.
Over the years, Yingluck has repeatedly faced coups, fabricated cases, asset seizures, and being forced to pay debts unrelated to her. In her closing remarks, she questioned the fairness of this treatment and expressed doubts about the guarantee of justice for the people who hold sovereignty if an elected prime minister cannot receive true justice.
Yingluck vowed to continue her fight for justice through lawful means, standing firm despite the hardship imposed by the ruling.
Tags: Yingluck Shinawatra, Facebook, Court, Compensation, Supreme Administrative Court
Related:- Yingluck's lawyers push for retrial in rice pledging case- Yingluck's assets revealed after court orders 10bn baht payout- Full verdict orders Yingluck to pay 10bn baht over G2G scandal
Historical Context of the Rice Pledging Scheme Controversy:The rice pledging scheme was a policy initiated during Yingluck Shinawatra's tenure as Prime Minister of Thailand. The scheme aimed to support over 20 million farming families by guaranteeing them a higher price for their rice, boosting rural incomes. However, due to corruption and mismanagement, the program resulted in significant financial losses for the government and Thailand losing its position as the world's largest rice exporter, accumulating over 178 billion baht in losses during the 2012/13 and 2013/14 seasons.
- Yingluck Shinawatra, in a post on her Facebook page, contended that the rice pledging scheme, which led to her paying over 10 billion baht in damages, was an attempt to help impoverished farmers by ensuring they could sell their produce at higher prices, a matter she believes falls under the realm of politics and policy-and-legislation.
- In her response to the Supreme Administrative Court's ruling, Yingluck pointed out that the rice pledging scheme was mired in war-and-conflicts, such as alleged corruption and mismanagement, and she criticized the lack of accountability for these wrongdoings, which she felt extended beyond her case.
- Despite the hardship imposed by the ruling, demanding she pay a 10 billion baht debt, Yingluck vowed to continue her struggle for justice, focusing on general-news issues like the ongoing reports of unsold rice being sold at below-market prices and corruption in the rice trade, all matters she believes are crucial for the welfare and rights of the people (crime-and-justice).
