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Thai fury on move to pardon Thaksin
Sydney Morning Herald - November 18, 2011
Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra's cabinet agreed this week to endorse the pardons for criminals 60 years or older and sentenced to less than three years in jail. But in a break with precedent, the proposed decree includes fugitives who have not served any of their sentences, thus making it applicable to Thaksin, who has been living in Dubai for much of the past five years.
Ms Yingluck was not present at the meeting that approved the decree amid tight security. Government leaders were furious that details of the decision leaked to the media.
Analysts say the return of Thaksin, 62, would provoke new protests as the government struggles to overcome the country's worst floods in half a century.
Yellow shirt leader Sondhi Limthongkul described the proposed pardon as a "most despicable act" and warned that his People's Alliance for Democracy would not "sit idly by" and allow it to happen.
"We've been studying the substance of the decree and we will meet to decide our moves at the first opportunity," Mr Sondhi said.
Opposition leader Abhisit Vejjajiva said allowing Thaksin to walk free would set a dangerous precedent for the Thai justice system.
The pardon will be vetted by a high-level advisory body, the Council of State, before December 5, the 84th birthday of revered King Bhumibol Adulyadej.
This year's birthday is considered especially auspicious in the Buddhist calendar because it completes the end of the king's seventh 12-year cycle of life.
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