Supreme Court Acquits Yingluck in 2011 NSC Chief Transfer Case
The Supreme Court has cleared former Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra of any criminal wrongdoing relating to the 2011 reassignment of National Security Council chief Thawil Pliensri. This decision also led to the cancellation of her arrest warrant.
Yingluck was acquitted on the grounds that the previous rulings by the Constitutional Court and the Supreme Administrative Court were not concerned with criminal liability.
The Constitutional Court had focused on ministerial qualifications and status, while the Supreme Administrative Court had reviewed the legality of Thawil's transfer, not the criminal aspects.
Furthermore, the Supreme Court found no conclusive evidence of wrongful intent in the transfer, as the reassignment was within Yingluck's authority as prime minister.
Testimonies presented in court did not establish any alternative motives, and thus the court dismissed the theory that the transfer was manipulated to appoint Yingluck's relative, Pol Gen Priewpan Damapong, as national police chief.
Earlier, the transfer had led to Thawil challenging the move, resulting in the Supreme Administrative Court revoking the transfer order. Additionally, the Constitutional Court had unanimously ruled Yingluck abused her power in the process.
In 2020, after the National Anti-Corruption Commission accused Yingluck of dishonest conduct, they appealed to the attorney general to take legal action, which brought the case before the Supreme Court’s division for political officeholders.
The Constitutional Court had focused on ministerial qualifications and status, while the Supreme Administrative Court had reviewed the legality of Thawil's transfer, not the criminal aspects.
Furthermore, the Supreme Court found no conclusive evidence of wrongful intent in the transfer, as the reassignment was within Yingluck's authority as prime minister.
Testimonies presented in court did not establish any alternative motives, and thus the court dismissed the theory that the transfer was manipulated to appoint Yingluck's relative, Pol Gen Priewpan Damapong, as national police chief.
Earlier, the transfer had led to Thawil challenging the move, resulting in the Supreme Administrative Court revoking the transfer order. Additionally, the Constitutional Court had unanimously ruled Yingluck abused her power in the process.
In 2020, after the National Anti-Corruption Commission accused Yingluck of dishonest conduct, they appealed to the attorney general to take legal action, which brought the case before the Supreme Court’s division for political officeholders.
