Thailand’s Cabinet endorsed a controversial amnesty decree that may allow exiled former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra to return to the country, local media said Wednesday.
Democrat Chief Whip Jurin Laksanavisit, an opposition leader, decried the decree, reported the Bangkok Post.
“Instead of giving priority to helping flood-hit people, the government gives more importance to bringing just one man home,” he told the Post.
If enacted the secret decree would give amnesty via a royal pardon on the king’s birthday, Dec. 5, to convicted felons over the age of 60 who are sentenced to three years or less. Jurin said the Cabinet overlooked several key issues including that people convicted of drug and corruption charges could also be pardoned, which is not allowed under the current policy.
“This shows the government attaches no importance to suppression of corruption. From now on, whoever is convicted of corruption can seek royal amnesty,” Jurin said.
Thaksin, 62, was removed in 2006 in a military coup and lives in exile in Dubai to avoid a two-year prison term on corruption charges. His sister is current Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra.
Prime Minister Yingluck was not present at the secret Cabinet meeting Tuesday, which opposition said was intentional, the Post reported.
