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PROFILE: YINGLUCK SHINAWATRA

Published23 August 2017
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Image source, EPA
Image caption,
Ms Yingluck is the youngest sister of controversial figure Thaksin Shinawatra

Yingluck Shinawatra made history when she became Thailand's first female prime
minister in 2011 on a wave of popular support.

But she was plagued by criticism over her governance and links to her brother,
former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

Her time in office ended acrimoniously in early May 2014, when the
constitutional court forced her to step down after finding her guilty of abusing
her power.

The army later overthrew her government in a coup, and formed the present
military-backed government of Thailand.


'PUPPET'

Born in 1967, Yingluck Shinawatra first carved out a career in the corporate
world before joining politics.

She was managing director of AIS, the telecommunications firm her brother
founded, and managing director of SC Asset Company, a family firm involved in
property.



Before the 2011 election, Ms Yingluck, who has two degrees in politics, had
never run for office or held a government post.

Critics were quick to point out her political inexperience, saying her main
qualification appeared to be the fact that she was the youngest sister of Mr
Thaksin, the billionaire who was ousted as prime minister by the military in
2006 and jailed in absentia for corruption.

They suggested her primary role was to marshal the Thaksin faithful - the mainly
poor rural voters who kept him in power - and then serve as his proxy as he
governed from overseas exile.

Ms Yingluck performed well on the campaign trail - people seemed to warm to her.
The numerous supporters of Mr Thaksin backed her party Pheu Thai - which her
brother founded - in 2011 polls.




KEY FACTS

 * Born 21 June 1967
 * Youngest of nine children; elder brother is former PM Thaksin Shinawatra
 * Graduate of Chiang Mai University as well as Kentucky State University, where
   she earned a master's degree in political science and business administration
 * Married to businessman Anusorn Amornchat; has one son



Speaking to the BBC after her election win, Ms Yingluck said she planned to work
hard. People would trust her, she said, as long as the government preserved the
rule of law and treated people fairly.

"As long as we solve problems, I hope Thai people will give me a chance to prove
myself and show my sincerity," she said then.



Three months later, she faced her first challenge as parts of Thailand were hit
by severe flooding, and her government was accused of being unprepared.

In early 2012, her government approved a compensation fund for victims of recent
political unrest, including the families of the deceased, as well as those who
were hurt or "unfairly detained".

Ms Yingluck was also seen to establish cordial ties with two key institutions,
the royal palace and the military.

Image source, Reuters
Image caption,
Ms Yingluck and her Pheu Thai party still command a significant following in
Thailand

But she also launched a controversial rice subsidy policy, whereby her
government bought rice from farmers at above market rates to boost rural
incomes.

It ended up hitting Thailand's rice exports hard, leading to billion-dollar
losses and an accumulation of huge stockpiles of unsold rice.

Her opponents said the programme was rife with corruption and many farmers were
left out of pocket.




SNAP POLL

It was, however, a political amnesty bill that provided the trigger for protests
which foreshadowed Ms Yingluck's demise.

Her government proposed legislation allowing amnesty for those convicted of
political violence that took place after the coup that ousted her brother,
including the mass street protests that paralysed Bangkok in 2010.

It proved unpopular with some of her traditional supporters, who argued it would
allow those responsible for the deaths of civilian protesters to go free.

It also sparked opposition fury, amid fears the ruling party would use it to
allow Mr Thaksin back into Thailand without having to serve his jail term.

Street protests erupted in Bangkok. Ms Yingluck appealed for calm, and allowed
the amnesty bill to fail in the Senate.

Image source, Reuters
Image caption,
Street protests erupted in Bangkok in 2013

Her government also called a snap election, which was boycotted by the
opposition and later declared unconstitutional.

Then the courts stepped in and removed Ms Yingluck - their case was linked to
the transfer of her national security chief. Weeks later, the military ousted
what was left of her government, leaving Thailand once again under military
rule.


AFTERMATH

After leaving office, Ms Yingluck continued to be dogged with controversy,
particularly over her rice scheme.

In 2015, an army-appointed legislature formally impeached her, resulting in a
five-year ban from politics. It also launched a legal case against her.

Image source, EPA
Image caption,
Ms Yingluck's court appearances have attracted crowds of supporters who often
give her flowers

Ms Yingluck has denied wrongdoing and insists she is a victim of political
persecution, as do her numerous supporters.

If found guilty in the criminal case, where she has been charged with
negligence, she faces up to 10 years in jail and a lifetime ban from politics.





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