Thailand’s lower house of parliament on Friday passed a controversial political amnesty bill that opponents fear would allow ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra to return, prompting warnings of fresh mass protests.
Critics say the bill, which still needs approval by the upper house, will “whitewash” past abuses, including the killing of unarmed protesters and risks unleashing another bout of political turmoil.
Lawmakers voted 310-0 in the early hours of the morning to pass the legislation, with four abstentions, according to a parliamentary official.
Government Whip Amnuay Khangpha said the opposition Democrat Party – which opposes the amnesty – refused to take part in the vote, which came after about 19 hours of the heated debate.
“The bill sailed through the second and third readings early this morning,” he said. “The bill will now be submitted to the Senate.”
The opposition Democrat Party said it would keep up its efforts to kill the bill with further street demonstrations.
“We will continue our fighting in the street until the bill is aborted. There are other avenues such as by petitioning the Constitutional Court,” said party spokesman Chavanond Intarakomalyasut.
Thousands joined a rally against the planned amnesty in Bangkok on Thursday evening, some wearing bandanas reading “Fight” and waving clappers with the slogan “Stop the amnesty for corrupt people”.
