BANGKOK - An arrest warrant was issued on Friday for former Thai prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra who failed to appear in court on the judgment day of a rice lawsuit filed against her. The warrant obliges police to locate and detain the former premier so that she can be brought to justice on Sept 27. The Supreme Court postponed the reading of the verdict for the criminal case against Yingluck until Sept 27 after her lawyer said the former leader was suffering from Meniere's disease and feeling dizzy and thus was unable to attend. Nevertheless, judges ruled that they do not believe Yingluck's illness as it was certified by any doctor, according to a public prosecutor attached to the Office of Attorney General. Yingluck's failure to appear in court prompted the top court to hand out the arrest warrant for her. She faces charges pertaining to the rice subsidy program implemented nationwide years ago. Some Thai media earlier reported that a car believed to carry Yingluck was seen at the court as her followers were chanting her name to the vehicle and thus it was assumed she was inside, but she did not show up as expected. Meanwhile, police have not yet confirmed or denied rumors that Yingluck might have secretly fled the country on Wednesday. But a senior party source of her Puea Thai Party said: She is definitely no longer here, she is likely in Singapore now, AFP reported. Yingluck joins her billionaire brother Thaksin in selfimposed exile - a knockout blow to the family and their political ambitions. The former leader's house in Yothin Pattana area remained quiet with the gate firmly shut early on Friday with a flock of reporters and photographers waiting outside. Yingluck, who had earlier maintained that she would fight the legal battle till the end, posted on Facebook on Thursday, calling on her supporters not to travel to the court in Chaeng Wattana area to cheer her up. Probably be sentenced Yingluck will probably be sentenced to a certain period in prison if found guilty of the charge that she did not do her duty by failing to call off the rice program which caused state losses. Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha said that the news of his predecessor's failing to appear in court surprised him and he had instructed police and other authorities to find her and bring her to justice. Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwan said some government officials may have helped Yingluck if she decided to flee the country and have Friday's court verdict put off until late next month. In her final statement made in her defense in court, Yingluck maintained that she had never neglected her duty involving the rice subsidy program carried out by her government. Xinhua - Afp - Reuters paper wristbands for eventsdesign rubber bracelets24 hour wristbands coupon24 hour braceletscheap silicone wristbands202mm to inchesyouth wristbands
Xi Jinping said Wednesday the Communist Party of China (CPC) will strive to fully transform the people's armed forces into world-class military by the mid-21st century. By the year 2020, mechanization will be basically achieved, with IT application coming a long way and strategic capabilities seeing a big improvement. The modernization of the national defense and armed forces should be basically completed by 2035, Xi said at the opening session of the 19th CPC National Congress. The CPC will build a powerful and modernized army, navy, air force, rocket force, and strategic support force, develop strong and efficient joint operations commanding institutions for theater commands, and create a modern combat system with distinctive Chinese characteristics, he said. "A military is built to fight," he said, stressing combat capability as the criterion to meet. Technology is the core combat capability, he said, adding the people's military will be made more innovative. The CPC will speed up development of intelligent military, and improve combat capabilities for joint operations based on network information system and the ability to fight under multi-dimensional conditions. Founded in 1927, the People's Liberation Army now commands about two million service personnel. Since the 18th CPC National Congress in 2012, the CPC has put forward the goal of building a strong military that follows the Party, fights to win and forges exemplary conduct. A new military structure has been established with the Central Military Commission exercising overall leadership, the theater commands responsible for military operations, and the services focusing on developing capabilities. The military has carried out major missions related to the protection of maritime rights, countering terrorism, maintaining stability, disaster rescue and relief, international peacekeeping, escort services in the Gulf of Aden, and humanitarian assistance.
