DHAKA: Several thousand Thai anti-government protesters gathered in Bangkok on Saturday after lawmakers approved a controversial amnesty that could allow fugitive former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra to return.

Opponents say the legislation, which was passed by the lower house on Friday but still needs the approval of the Senate, would ‘whitewash’ past abuses, including the killing of unarmed protesters.

Some 3,000 protesters had joined the rally held by the opposition Democrat Party by early Saturday evening, police said, with attendance expected to swell as the weekend goes on.

Demonstrators chanting ‘Government get out!’ and waving flags gathered for a third night in the Thai capital as political tensions flared in the turbulent kingdom, reports The Straits Times.

BDST: 1903 HRS, NOV 02, 2013
RoR/SRS