( CNN ) Former Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has been ordered to stand trial over her role in a controversial rice subsidy scheme that cost the country billions . The first court hearing will take place on May 19 , a statement from Thailand 's supreme court said . `` This case falls under the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court Criminal Division for Persons Holding Political Positions ... and the charges brought [ against Yingluck ] are accepted , '' the statement said . If found guilty , she could face up to 10 years in prison . On her Facebook page , Yingluck said she behaved with integrity and honesty during her time as prime minister . `` I pledge that I have followed correct proceedings of the constitution , laws of the country in every way . '' The rice subsidy program , introduced in 2011 , pledged to pay farmers well above the market rate for their crop . But critics said it wasted large amounts of public funds trying to please rural voters , hurting exports and leaving the government with large stockpiles of rice it could n't sell without losing money . Anger over the scheme played a role in the protests that led to the downfall of Yingluck 's government and a military coup in May last year . In January , Thailand 's military-appointed National Legislative Assembly ( NLA ) voted in favor of impeaching Yingluck for her role in the rice program . Though the vote was largely symbolic , as she had already lost her post , it carries a five-year ban from politics . CNN 's Kocha Olarn and journalist Kiki Dhitavat in Bangkok contributed to this report .
Former Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has been ordered to stand trial . The first court hearing will take place on May 19 . Case centers on her role in controversial rice subsidy scheme .