Ex-Thai PM calls junta plan to sieze assets 'illegal'

By CS Thana

BANGKOK

A former Thai prime minister has accused the country's ruling junta of acting illegally in its efforts to sieze her assets to repay financial damages suffered by the country in an allegedly corrupt rice subsidy plan.

Speaking outside Bangkok criminal court Friday where she gave testimony on the third day of her trial, Yingluck Shinawatra told reporters that any such action would be illegal

"If the military uses an executive command [to seize my assets] they may be circumventing the courts as the case has not reached a conclusion," she said, surrounded by supporters.

Shinawatra is accused by the junta that deposed her government in a 2014 coup of negligence and malfeasance with regard to the plan that resulted in losses of hundred of millions of dollars.

Prime minister-cum-junta leader Prayuth Chan-Ocha has previously said he would seize Yingluck's assets to repay some of the debt accrued under the scheme.

Shinawatra's family net worth is estimated by Forbes at $1.67 billion.