Thailand’s Supreme Administrative Court has ruled that former Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra must pay over 10 billion baht (approx. $305 million) in compensation for losses linked to her administration’s controversial rice pledging scheme—marking a major legal setback for the exiled leader and a defining moment in the long-running rice subsidy scandal. CNA + 4 nationthailand + 4 ABC News + 4 Wikipedia + 13 Reuters + 13 nationthailand + 13
The court partially overturned a previous verdict that had cleared Yingluck. It determined she had acted with “gross negligence”, particularly by ignoring repeated warnings issued by agencies such as the National Anti‑Corruption Commission and the State Audit Office about fraudulent G‑to‑G rice sales contracts. Reddit+3nationthailand+3nationthailand+3
Although the Finance Ministry initially demanded 35.7 billion baht ($1.1 billion), the court found that amount unjustifiably high. Instead, it ruled she should only pay half of the estimated damages, totalling ~20 billion baht, resulting in a more modest payout of 10.028 billion baht. ABC News+4nationthailand+4朝日新聞+4
Yingluck’s flagship policy—introduced in 2011—pledged to buy rice from farmers at prices roughly 50% above world market value, inflating costs and encouraging massive stockpiling. When global prices plunged due to competition from India and Vietnam, Thailand lost its position as a top exporter and was left with unsold, deteriorating rice, resulting in estimated losses of up to 170 billion baht (~$19 billion). Bangkok Wikipedia +8 AP News +8
From exile, Yingluck called the ruling unjust, maintaining she was being held liable “for a debt I did not cause”, emphasising her lack of direct involvement in operational decisions. Her legal team has vowed to appeal, citing past recovery of losses through rice sales and government funds used to offset the costs. nationthailand+11nationthailand+11AP News+11
This ruling has significant political resonance as the Pheu Thai Party, founded by her brother Thaksin Shinawatra, returns to power with his daughter Paetongtarn Shinawatra serving as prime minister. The decision underscores continuing tensions between the Shinawatra political network and conservative or military-aligned institutions. AP News+7 Reuters+7www.ndtv.com+7 At a Glance
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Court | Supreme Administrative Court, Thailand |
| Date of Ruling | May 22, 2025 |
| Original Compensation Order | 35.7 billion baht |
| Court-Imposed Payment | ~10.028 billion baht (about $305 million) |
| Reason for Liability | Severe negligence concerning G‑to‑G rice deals |
| Yingluck’s Status | Exiled in self-imposed exile since 2017 |
| Defense Stance | Claims no direct responsibility; political targeting |
The Thai court has ordered Yingluck Shinawatra to pay over 10 billion baht in damages for losses from a failed rice pledging program.
The ruling overturns a 2021 acquittal and slashes the original demanded amount from 35.7 billion to 10 billion baht, reflecting only half the assessed losses.
Yingluck rejects the verdict as politically motivated, while her legal team prepares to appeal based on losses already recouped and lack of direct operational control.
