Thailand denies police helped Yingluck escape

Thailand's Deputy Prime Minister yesterday confirmed that no police helped Ms. Yingluck Shinawatra escape as reported by the media.

Former Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra. Photo: Reuters.

Thai Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Prawit Wongsuwon said police officers were stationed near former Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra's home before August 25 and the Metropolitan Police Department reported to him that no officers helped Yingluck escape, the Bangkok Post reported today.

Referring to the vehicle Ms. Yingluck used to escape, Mr. Prawit said the former Thai prime minister had a Mercedes-Benz and a Volkswagen at her house in Bangkok.

Deputy Prime Minister Prawit added that the authorities have not yet determined Yingluck's whereabouts, but the Foreign Ministry has informed all Thai embassies abroad about the incident. He also affirmed that the public should not have any doubts about Yingluck's disappearance because it is clear that she fled on her own.

On September 2, Thai police announced that they had found the car suspected to be used by Ms. Yingluck to escape before the August 25 trial.

The news of former Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra's escape came after she failed to appear at the August 25 trial for negligence in managing a rice subsidy program for farmers, causing losses to the state budget. If convicted, she faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison and a lifetime ban from politics. The Thai Supreme Court has issued an arrest warrant for the former prime minister.

The rice subsidy program was launched in 2011, shortly after Yingluck took office. It was one of her election pledges. Under the program, Thailand would support farmers in poor rural areas, buying their rice at double the market price. However, the program has had a negative impact on Thailand's rice exports, causing losses of at least $8 billion and creating a huge backlog of rice.

Ms. Yingluck is believed to have traveled to Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE), where Mr. Thaksin has a house. Thai army chief Chalermchai Sitthisat said Ms. Yingluck's escape plan was carefully planned in advance.

According to VNE