CHIANG MAI — Yingluck Shinawatra has performed a religious ceremony for a better fortune as it became clear another tough battle lies ahead.
Ms Yingluck and her sisters, Yaowapa Wongsawat and Monthathip Shinawatra, were at Wat Sri Boonruang in Muang district, Chiang Mai province, on Friday for a ceremony specially arranged for her.
The former prime minister attached the head to the headless Phra Singh Buddha statue in what Phra Khru Suthep Sitthikhun, the temple abbot, said was a step to dispel all misfortunes.
The process completed when she took the whole statute and placed it in the main pavillion hall at the famous Wat Phra That Doi Suthep overlooking the northern city.
The abbot and eight other monks at Wat Sri Boonruang also performed a chanting ceremony and sprinkled holy water on her and other attendants, including red-shirt members and former MPs of the Pheu Thai Party.
Ms Yingluck is taking a political break after her government was overthrown by last year's coup led by Prayut Chan-o-cha, the then-army chief and now the prime minister.
A court battle could be her next fight as two investigation panels will soon conclude whether she and 21 other persons should take financial responsibility for the losses of the rice-pledging scandal of around 500 billion baht.
Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam said on Sept 18 the decision could be wrapped up by the end of this month.
She and the other offenders still have a chance to fight the case in the Administrative Court if the government orders her to compensate for the damages.
Ms Yingluck told reporters after the ceremony that she felt fine after making merits, Thai Rath Online said.
The abbot also gave her a blessing during the ceremony to end all her bad luck. He also hoped she would have a chance to return as the government, it added.
The monk also is well respected by her brother Thaksin.