Troubles intensify for Thai PM: she faces court!

Bangkok: Thailand's besieged Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra is due to appear today in front of the nation's Constitutional Court, facing allegations of abuse of power that could see her sacked from office.

The case comes as Thailand's political crisis reaches a critical juncture with anti-government protesters still massed on Bangkok's streets and Yingluck's supporters also threatening to rally to defend her.

The complaint was filed to the court by a group of senators who said that the replacement of then-national security chief Thawil Pliensri, after Yingluck was elected in 2011 was for the benefit of her party.

The court has not given a date for its ruling but a member of Yingluck's legal team urged the nine-member appointed court to give the case more time.

"We have asked for five more witnesses... the court has not yet made a decision on that request", he told AFP on Monday, requesting anonymity.

Yingluck has also been charged by the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) with neglect of duty in connection with a costly and bungled rice subsidy scheme that critics say fomented rampant corruption.

"If the Constitutional Court does not rule against Yingluck - which I think it will - then the NACC will at least impeach her and she would have to step down while the Senate decides on convicting her", said Paul Chambers, director of research at the Institute of South East Asian Affairs at Chiang Mai University.