Thai PM defends herself against negligence charges

BANGKOK, Mar 31 (AFP): Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra testified Monday in front of anti-graft officials over negligence charges that could lead to her removal from office and a ban from politics.
Yingluck arrived at the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) in Bangkok on Monday but made no comment to the media as she entered the building or as she left 10 minutes later, an AFP reporter said.
She was summoned to answer charges linked to a controversial rice subsidy scheme, which paid farmers above market rates for their crops.
Observers say that after months of street protests, the kingdom's political crisis is lurching towards a critical new phase, with the NACC appearing set to move against the embattled premier.
"The prime minister gave verbal and written testimony... she asked the NACC to question 10 more witnesses and give more time for her lawyers to submit more evidence," commission member Prasart Pongsivapai told reporters.
"We will discuss both of these requests tomorrow... we are glad that she came, the atmosphere was good," he added.