BANGKOK — Pheu Thai politicians have expressed their confidence in former Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra’s defense of the corruption allegations filed against her by Thailand’s national anti-graft agency.

Yingluck, the sister of influential former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, appeared before the National Legislative Assembly (NLA) this morning to counter accusations that she failed to prevent corruption in her administration’s rice-pledging scheme, a policy that helped carry her and the Pheu Thai party into power in 2011.

Under the scheme, the government bought rice from farmers at above-market prices, which led to huge stockpiles when the state was unable to sell the paddies on the international market without incurring major losses. 

According to the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC), the rice scheme cost the state more than 500 billion baht in damages due to corruption and mismanagement. 

The junta-appointed NLA has been tasked with deciding whether the NACC’s charge – that Yingluck failed to stop the rice program’s alleged graft – is grounds for impeachment. If found guilty, the former Prime Minister will face a five-year ban from politics.   

Critics say the case is a politically-motivated effort to curb the influence of the Shinawatra family, whose parties have won every national election since 2001. 

In her testimony this morning, Yingluck insisted that she was innocent of the charges, and that the rice-pledging scheme benefited the nation and Thai farmers in general. She also argued that the current constitution does not grant the NLA authority to impeach her.

"I was removed from my position as Prime Minister. I have no position left to be removed from," Yingluck told the lawmakers, who were appointed by the junta following the 22 May coup that ousted her government. 

Pichit Chuenban, former Pheu Thai MP and the head of Yingluck’s legal team, told Khaosod that he thinks Yingluck provided an excellent rebuttal to the NACC's allegation.

"I want to know how NACC will take responsibility in its groundless accusation against the former Prime Minister," Pichit said. "However, what concerns me now is the fact that people who are opposed to Yingluck will build pressure on the NLA."

The NLA hearing is set to resume on 16 January, and the legislative body will deliver its verdict within 30 days. Pitchit said his legal team will meet to discuss their strategy on 12 January.

Worachai Hema, another former Pheu Thai MP, said he gives Yingluck an "A" for her performance today. 

"However, Mr. Vicha Mahakhun, the committee member of the NACC, gets an F," Worachai said. "If you look at Yingluck's confident explanation, she countered Vicha with precise and accurate information, facts, and reasons. She managed to destroy all of Vicha's accusations."

Worachai also stressed that neither the Pheu Thai Party nor the umbrella organization of the Redshirts, the United Front of Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD), were responsible for a small rally in front of the Parliament building this morning. 

"There has been an allegation that the UDD organized those people. That is false," said Worachai. "The UDD has nothing to do with it. Don't accuse us falsely."

Political gatherings are currently banned under the junta, which has maintained nationwide martial law nearly eight months after the coup.

Yingluck is widely seen as a "proxy" for her brother Thaksin, who was ousted in a military coup in 2006. Thaksin fled Thailand shortly before a court convicted him of corruption in 2008 and has been living in exile ever since, but retains significant influence over his political dynasty. 

Yingluck led a pro-Thaksin government from 2011 to late 2013, when she dissolved Parliament to call a snap election in the face of mounting anti-government protests, which were sparked by her party's attempt to absolve Thaksin's corruption conviction. 

Yingluck was unseated shortly before the 22 May coup in a court ruling that found her guilty of abuse of power for transferring a national security chief in 2011. 

Several weeks later, the military staged a coup against what was left of her administration. The junta leader, Gen. Prayuth Chan-ocha, was later chosen as Prime Minister by the NLA, a body whose members he handpicked. 

The NACC is also requesting the Attorney-General take up a case against Yingluck in Criminal Court. If found guilty, Yingluck could face up to 10 years in prison.

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PITSANULOK — Fearing fatal stampedes, soldiers have taken control of a temple event in which five free iPhones were given away to local temple-goers.

More than 3,000 people lined up in front of Wat Ratchaburana Temple in Pitsanulok province this morning to participate in the event, which  is a part of a tradition that typically involves monks throwing coins at crowds of temple-goers following major religious ceremonies.

While most temples distribute coins and other humble gifts, Wat Ratchaburana has decided to give away five iPhone 6 Plus devices and banknotes worth 20, 50, 100, 500, and 1,000 baht. The money and winning raffle tickets for the iPhones were put in small bags, which temple staff planned to throw indiscriminately into the crowd. 

However, over 100 military officers arrived at the temple today to take control of the event, instructing monks to hand out the prize bags in an orderly fashion. Worshippers were asked to line up and receive the money bags one by one. 

 Soldiers took control of the giveaway event at Wat Ratchaburana temple in Pitsanulok province, 9 Jan 2015.

A total of 300,000 baht was given away in the money bags, temple staff said. 

Meanwhile, one of the temple-goers reported to the police that her wallet and two mobile phones were stolen while she was waiting in line for the prize bag.

"I only got 5 baht from the giveaway," said the temple-goer, Chantra Phusri, adding that the perpetrator has also stolen her ATM and credit cards.

Police say they are investigating the incident. 

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PITSANULOK — Soldiers have been dispatched to maintain order at a temple in Pitsanulok province where monks have promised to give away five free iPhones to temple-goers tomorrow.

The giveaway is a part of a tradition that typically involves monks throwing coins at crowds of temple-goers following major religious ceremonies.

Yet while most temples distribute coins and other humble gifts, Wat Ratchaburana in Mueang district will be giving away banknotes worth 20, 50, 100, 500, and 1,000 baht, its abbot says.

The temple will also give away five free iPhone 6 Plus devices, said the abbot, Phra Kru Sitthitham Wipat.

He explained that the winning raffle tickets for the iPhones will be mixed in with the cash prizes and thrown indiscriminately into the crowds.

"We will throw the money in four different spots throughout the temple, to prevent the crowd from becoming too dense," Phra Kru Sitthitham said. "We have already requested police, soldiers, and rescue workers to assist us in the event, to deter any criminals that may blend in with the crowd."

The giveaway is scheduled to take place after a ceremony marking the construction of a new Buddha statue at the temple on 9 January. 

The iPhones were donated to Wat Ratchaburana Temple by some "Thais who are living in Germany," said Weerayuth Potassa, a staff at the temple. 

Over 100 police officers and soldiers will be deployed to oversee security at the temple during the iPhone draw tomorrow, said Pol.Col. Damrong Muen-artyim, an officer at Mueang Pitsanulok Police Station.

"We are afraid that a fight may break out between the people when they struggle to collect the money," Pol.Col. Damrong said. "There may also be criminals who intend to commit crimes during the ceremony."

A group of soldiers from a local military base were already stationed at the temple by today's afternoon.