Thailand's military-appointed legislature on Friday started impeachment proceedings against ousted former Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra over a loss-making rice subsidy program, seen as a further step to try to end the political influence of her powerful family.

Yingluck was removed from office in May, after a court found her guilty of abuse of power, days before the army staged a coup after months of sometimes violent street demonstrations in Bangkok aimed at ousting her government.

A day after she was removed, Thailand's National Anti-Corruption Commission found her guilty of mishandling the rice scheme.