CRI听力:Impeachment Hearings of Ex-Thai PM Yingluck Shinawatra Begins

Former Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra appeared before the National Assembly in Bangkok to defend herself against possible impeachment on Friday.

She's accused of mismanaging public funds connected to a controversial rice subsidy scheme, which critics say cost the Thai government some 15-billion US dollars.

Wicha Mahakhun, a member of the National Anti-Corruption Commission that filed the impeachment motion, says Thailand lost its position as the world's top rice exporter becuase of this controversial scheme.

Yingluck contends she's being framed by the ruling Military junta. She defended herself saying the rice subsidy has infact lifted millions of farmers out of poverty.

If found guilty she could be banned from active politics for 5-years.

Yingluck, the sister of ousted Thai Primier Thaksin Shinawatra, was removed from office for abuse of power in May.

Thailand's military later seized control of the government amid continued unrest in the country.

Top Political analysts like Ekkachai Chainuvati believe that the proceedings are designed to keep the powerful Shinawatra family out of Thai politics.

"In a legal sense, the removal process today has no legal basis at all, but the real intention is to ban her for five years from political life. So this is the political game."

A final ruling on Yingluck's impeachment is expected before the end of the month.