Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra guilty

A Thai court found Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra guilty of violating the constitution on Wednesday and said she must step down, prolonging a political crisis that has led to violent protests and brought the economy close to recession.

Reuters reports that the decision is bound to anger supporters of Yingluck, but the court did allow ministers not implicated in the case against her to stay in office, a move that could take some of the sting out of any backlash on the streets.

After the ruling, the cabinet said Commerce Minister Niwatthamrong Boonsongphaisan, who is also a deputy prime minister, would replace Yingluck, and the caretaker government would press ahead with plans for a July 20 election.

Yingluck, who faced six months of sometimes deadly protests in the capital, Bangkok, aimed at toppling her government, thanked the Thai people in a televised news conference.

“Throughout my time as prime minister I have given my all to my work for the benefit of my countrymen … I have never committed any unlawful acts as I have been accused of doing,” Yingluck said, smiling and outwardly upbeat.

“From now on, no matter what situation I am in, I will walk on the path of democracy. I am sad that I will not be able to serve you after this.”

Despite her removal from power, there is no obvious end in sight to the turmoil in Thailand, with protesters still pushing for political reforms before new elections.

The judge who delivered the verdict at the Constitutional Court said Yingluck had abused her position by transferring a security chief to another post in 2011 so that a relative could benefit from subsequent job moves.

“The accused was involved in the transfer of Thawil Pliensri from his position as National Security Council head,” the judge said, adding that this was done so that Priewpan Damapong, a relative, could “gain a new position”.

“The accused acted for her own political benefit … The transfer wasn’t done for the benefit of the country,” he added.

Yingluck, a businesswoman until entering politics to lead her party to victory in a 2011 election, denied wrongdoing in court on Tuesday. She was not present on Wednesday.

It was not immediately clear if she could appeal or if she faced a ban on participation in politics and other penalties.