Yingluck supporters urged not to gather at parliament

Supporters of former Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra have been asked not to gather at the parliament on Friday when Yingluck shows up to defend herself in an impeachment case.

People can send their moral support for Yingluck from home or by telephone, and there is no point in coming, Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon said Thursday.

The case, in which the former premier has been accused of dereliction of duty in overseeing a controversial rice-pledging scheme, will open on Friday and Yingluck is expected to appear before the National Legislative Assembly (NLA) to deliver a defense statement.

The NLA will handle this matter in accordance with the law, said Prawit, who is in charge of security affairs.

The case will not affect the government, he said, adding he did not expect any unrest if the NLA voted to impeach Yingluck.

If impeached, Yingluck could face a five-year ban from politics.

On Thursday, the NLA started the impeachment process against former Senate Speaker Nikhom Wairatpanich and former House Speaker Somsak Kiatsuranon.

The case against the two politicians was filed for their role in passing a charter amendment to change the composition of the Senate in September 2013. The amendment was later ruled unconstitutional by the Constitutional Court.

While presenting his statement, Nikhom insisted he did not violate any law. "I will accept the result, whatever it will be and I will not return to politics," he said. Endi