The Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Political Office-Holders has set Jan 15 for the first examination of prosecution witnesses in the trial of former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra for alleged negligence in her government's rice-pledging scheme.
Former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra is greeted by supporters as she arrives at the Supreme Court yesterday. The court has scheduled Jan 15 for the start of her trial for alleged negligence in the rice-pledging scheme. Patipat Janthong
Ms Yingluck has been charged with dereliction of duty causing damage, under Section 157 of the Criminal Code, and failure to perform her duty as a state official, under the Anti-Corruption Act 1999, to stop corruption in the rice-pledging scheme. The scheme has reported losses of more than 500 billion baht to the state.
Ms Yingluck and state prosecutors appeared at the court yesterday to submit lists of witnesses and evidence.
After examining witnesses, the court decided to allow 14 prosecution witnesses, down from 17 on the list, to testify.
There will be five examinations of prosecution witnesses, the first is slated for Jan 15. The other hearings were scheduled for Feb 17, Feb 26, March 4 and March 23 next year.
The court will decide later whether the three other prosecution witnesses on the list -- Banyong Inthana, Saweena Polphuet and Sirasa Kanpithaya -- will be allowed to testify. The court allowed 42 of the 43 defence witnesses on the list.
The defence witnesses will testify in 16 hearings scheduled for April 1, April 22, May 13, May 18, June 17, June 24, July 8, July 22, Aug 5, Aug 19, Sept 9, Sept 23, Oct 7, Oct 21, Nov 4 and Nov 18, 2016.
The court will decide later if the other witness on the list, Sodsri Satayathum, would be called to testify.
Defence lawyer Norawit Lalaeng said important defence witnesses include former finance minister Kittiratt Na-Ranong, former deputy prime minister Niwatthamrong Boonsongpaisal and former deputy commerce minister Yanyong Puangraj.
Ms Yingluck was greeted on arrival at the court by a large number of supporters, including key members of her former government.
Asked about reports that people would wear red on Nov 1 to give her moral support, Ms Yingluck thanked them but said she would rather they heed the National Council for Peace and Order's orders, for the sake of peace and reconciliation.
Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam yesterday said a panel set up by the Finance Ministry to determine if Ms Yingluck will be financially liable for losses in the rice scheme is expected to postpone sending its findings to Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, to allow the defendant to present more witnesses.