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                Thai PM Defends Herself Before Impeachment Vote

   by VOA News

   Thailand's former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra strongly defended
   herself in parliament before members vote on whether to impeach her for
   her role in a controversial rice subsidy scheme.

   The 220-member legislature, installed by the military after a coup last
   May, will vote Friday. If Yingluck is impeached, she would be banned
   from politics for five years.

   She told lawmakers that the case against her is politically motivated
   and that the subsidy program benefited Thai farmers.

   The National Anti-Corruption Commission held Yingluck responsible for
   failing to halt the program, which cost the government about $4
   billion.

   Officials say they repeatedly warned the government the program faced
   financial difficulties.

   Yingluck is the younger sister of former leader, Thaksin Shinwatra,
   himself ousted in a military coup in 2006 over accusations of
   corruption. Thaksin fled Thailand in 2008 when faced with a two year
   sentence for corruption. But Thaksin and his Pheu Thai Party remain
   popular, especially in rural areas.
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   [1]http://www.voanews.com/content/thai-pm-defends-herself-before-impeac
   hment-vote/2608762.html

References

   1. http://www.voanews.com/content/thai-pm-defends-herself-before-impeachment-vote/2608762.html