THAILAND: Protests continue in Bangkok after the Thai senate votes down a controversial amnesty bill that could have brought former premier Thaksin Shinawatra back without facing corruption charges

Record ID: 718448

  • Title: THAILAND: Protests continue in Bangkok after the Thai senate votes down a controversial amnesty bill that could have brought former premier Thaksin Shinawatra back without facing corruption charges
  • Date: 11th November 2013
  • Summary: BANGKOK, THAILAND (NOVEMBER 11, 2013) (REUTERS) PROTESTERS MARCHING DOWN STREET WITH FLAGS AND BANNERS VARIOUS OF PROTESTERS WALKING MAN CHANTING 'YINGLUCK', CHORUS RESPONDING (Thai) "GET OUT" PROTESTER CARRYING ANTI-GOVERNMENT PLACARD WOMAN MARCHING, WAVING AND BLOWING WHISTLE VARIOUS OF PROTESTERS MARCHING PAST LINES OF RIOT POLICE VARIOUS OF RIOT POLICE VARIOUS OF PROTE
  • Embargoed: 26th November 2013 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Thailand
  • Country: Thailand
  • Topics: Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVA7NMV5YX8NSJINVGSKS7KN25HO
  • Story Text: Protesters stood their ground in Bangkok on Monday night (November 11) even as the senate unanimously voted down a government-backed amnesty bill that has sparked mass protests in the capital.
    Critics say the bill is aimed at bringing former premier Thaksin Shinawatra back from self-exile without serving jail time.
    Thaksin, still adored by his mostly poor, rural supporters but distrusted by many members of the establishment, was convicted in absentia in 2008 of corruption - charges he said were politically motivated.
    His sister, Yingluck Shinawatra, is now prime minister.
    The lower house of parliament passed the political amnesty bill and it went to the upper house Senate.
    Thailand's Senate on Monday rejected the government-backed amnesty bill, a decision that could ease political tensions.
    In a late night session, 141 senators voted unanimously to return the bill to the lower house, complicating what critics say are efforts by the pro-Thaksin ruling party to bring him home without serving jail time for a 2008 graft conviction.
    "The Senate has voted and fully rejects this bill," said Senate president Surachai Liengboonlertchai.
    The government has been under pressure to ditch the bill amid demonstrations, mostly by royalists and nationalists, which have highlighted the deep political divisions that have plagued Thailand since a 2006 coup that toppled Thaksin.
    The Senate's scuttling of the bill does not mark an end to the long-running saga over Thaksin's comeback. The ruling Puea Thai party controls the lower house and according to the constitution can re-introduce the bill in another 180 days.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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