Thailand: Former PM sentenced in absentia Sep. 27 /update 2

Event

Former Thai PM Yingluck Shinawatra was sentenced in absentia ​to five years in prison on Wednesday, September 27, for negligence and mismanagement of a rice subsidy program that allegedly cost Thailand USD 8 billion. The government of current PM Prayuth Chan-ocha issued a new warrant for her arrest following her sentencing. In August, Yingluck reportedly fled to Dubai to escape conviction by the country's supreme court; recent reports indicate the ousted former PM may now be in London.

Dozens of Yingluck's supporters gathered around the Thai supreme court on September 27 to await her sentencing; however, large numbers of police officers were also present, and no clashes were reported. Protests organized by Yingluck supporters and critics remain possible in the coming days.

Context

Thousands of supporters that had gathered in front of the Supreme Court on August 25 quickly dispersed once it was announced that Yingluck would not appear in court. The former prime minister was on trial for negligence after implementing a rice scheme that paid farmers nearly twice the market rate for their crop, leaving Thailand with a huge stockpile of overvalued rice. Sister of exiled former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, she rose to power in 2001 and was later ousted by a military coup in 2014, led by junta leader and current Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha.

The ruling military junta has tightened border controls around the country and is pursuing Yingluck through both diplomatic means and cooperation with Interpol.

Advice

Individuals in Thailand are advised to keep abreast of the situation and to avoid all potential protests. Due to tightened border controls, be prepared for longer waiting times at Thai borders, including in airports.