Bangkok braces for protests over possible pardon of Shinawatra

[caption id=“attachment_1009113” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Thakshin’s opponents fear a new bill could pave the way for his pardon:Reuters[/caption] The Thai capital is bracing for possible unrest this week, with street protests expected over moves in parliament that could eventually lead to a pardon for ousted Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. Protesters calling themselves the People’s Army Against the Thaksin Regime rallied in a Bangkok park on Sunday. But more protests are expected when parliament on Wednesday begins debating an amnesty bill that would cover people arrested for political activities since the 2006 military coup that ousted Thaksin for alleged corruption and disrespect to the monarchy. Thaksin was later sentenced to two years in jail on a conflict of interest charge, but escaped punishment by living in self-exile. The amnesty bill would not cover Thaksin, but his opponents fear it could pave the way for actions to pardon him. Associated Press