Former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra has been granted bail and ordered not to leave the country without court permission, following her appearance at the Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Political Office-Holders yesterday.
She answered charges relating to her role in the loss-ridden rice-pledging scheme.
The ex-premier pleaded not guilty after a panel of nine judges chaired by Supreme Court vice-president Veerapol Tangsuwan read out the charges filed against her by the Office of the Attorney-General (OAG).
Ms Yingluck was formally charged with dereliction of duty and abuse of authority in failing to stop graft and losses in the rice-pledging scheme, which violated Section 157 of the Criminal Code and Section 123/1 of the Counter Corruption Act 1999.
Losses estimated at more than 500 billion baht were incurred when her government bought rice from farmers at above-market prices and then failed to resell much of it.
Ms Yingluck was allowed to submit written testimony to the court by July 3, and the court set July 21 and 28 for the first examination of evidence and witnesses.
The OAG said it would call 13 witnesses, while the defence team said it planned to call at least 20.
When Ms Yingluck asked that she be tried in absentia, she was advised by the court to attend all the hearings.
The court said she is under obligation to appear but can seek permission on a case-by-case basis if she has other business and cannot attend the hearings.
Norawich Lhalaeng, Ms Yingluck's lawyer, said his client placed a savings account worth 30 million baht as surety and insisted she would attend the July 21 hearing.
Mr Norawich said he was confident there is strong enough evidence to clear the former prime minister's name.
Speaking to reporters, Ms Yingluck maintained her innocence and said she was ready to fight the charges.
She believed she would receive a fair trial and urged all sides to refrain from criticising the trial.
Ms Yingluck arrived at the court about an hour ahead of the scheduled hearing, which was set for 9.30am.
The court was packed with her supporters and about 500 city police and plainclothed officers.
Accompanied by her husband, Anusorn Amornchat, she was greeted by a throng of supporters, including Pheu Thai acting secretary-general Phumtham Wechayachai, former foreign minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul, former finance minister Kittiratt na Ranong, former deputy prime minister Plodprasop Suraswadi and former deputy commerce minister Nattawut Saikuar, who is also a core member of the red-shirt United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship.
After the court was adjourned, Ms Yingluck's supporters shouted "Fight! Fight!"