DHAKA: Former Thai prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra was banned from traveling overseas on Tuesday at the start of her trial on negligence charges, the latest in a slew of cases her supporters say are part of an attempt to tighten the junta’s grip on power.

The court banned her from traveling overseas, and agreed bail terms of 30 million baht.

The next hearing is set for July 21, reports The Straits Times.

Around 200 supporters showed up outside the court on Tuesday. Some shouted, ‘The people’s prime minister! Yingluck is the people’s prime minister! You must fight on!’

Yingluck has accused her enemies of conducting a witch-hunt against her in order to handicap her powerful family.

‘I prepared myself well today and am ready to defend myself in court,’ Yingluck told reporters as she arrived at the Supreme Court in Bangkok.

‘I hope that I will be awarded justice.’

BDST: 1204 HRS, MAY 19, 2015
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