BANGKOK: Thailand’s anti-graft commission on Thursday summoned the embattled prime minister to hear charges of negligence for allegedly mishandling a government subsidy program, as her supporters blocked access and chain-locked one of the gates to the agency’s headquarters in Bangkok’s outskirts.
The charges from the National Anti-Corruption Commission could lead to Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra’s impeachment after three months of street protests by her opponents and mounting violence that has prompted fresh concerns from the US and the UN.
Yingluck’s opponent want to replace her government with an appointed council that would introduce vaguely described anti-corruption reforms, but she has refused to step down.
The anti-graft agency’s officials said that Yingluck would send a legal representative to hear the charges because she was visiting her home province of Chiang Mai in northern Thailand.
“After hearing the charges, we will study them and then respond to the NACC within 15 days,” said Pichit Chuenban, the head of Yingluck’s Pheu Thai Party.
Yingluck’s supporters, called Red Shirts, are copying the tactics of her opponents, who have blocked roads and government agencies since December to pressure her to resign.
The Red Shirts believe the anti-graft agency is persecuting the prime minister. They built a stage at their demonstration site and said they would bar the anti-corruption commissioners from their offices on Thursday. Several also chained themselves to the office’s gates.
The rice subsidy program — a flagship policy of Yingluck’s administration that helped win the votes of millions of farmers — has accumulated losses of at least $4.4 billion and has been dogged by corruption allegations. Payments to farmers have been delayed by many months.
Yingluck will be given 15 days to answer the accusations against her. She could eventually face impeachment by the Senate or criminal charges if the commission delivers a final ruling against her.
The Red Shirts have generally kept a low profile during the anti-government protests, but as Yingluck’s government comes under greater threat of legal action that might force it from office, they have said they will respond in force, if necessary.
The volatile situation has worsened recently, with shootings and grenade attacks on anti-government protest sites.
Twenty-two people have died and hundreds have been hurt in the political violence.
The deaths of four children in attacks this past weekend caused widespread shock and sorrow, but seem to have only hardened the positions of both sides.
UN secretary-general Ban Ki-moon expressed his increasing concern and reiterated his condemnation of the recent escalation of violence. He urged the parties to “engage as soon as possible in meaningful and inclusive dialogue toward ending the crisis and advancing genuine reform”, UN spokesman Martin Nesirky said.
“The secretary-general expresses his readiness to assist the parties and the Thai people in any way possible,” he said.
In Washington, state department spokeswoman Jen Psaki described the attacks that claimed the children’s lives as “inexcusable”.
“Violence is not an acceptable means of resolving political differences. We reiterate our call for all sides to exercise restraint and urge Thai authorities to investigate thoroughly and transparently all recent acts of violence,” she told reporters.
Thailand’s army, which is generally sympathetic to the current anti-government protesters, announced Wednesday that it would set up checkpoints in Bangkok to help maintain safety. (Agencies)