Thailand’s parliament on Friday moved another step closer to granting amnesty to people involved in the political conflict that has marred the country for almost a decade, prompting thousands of protesters to take to the streets. The House of Representatives voted 310-0 early Friday to pass a draft of the amnesty bill after 19 hours of heated debate during which lawmakers opposed to it walked out. The legislation must be approved by the senate before it becomes law. Some critics argue the bill would whitewash crimes of self-exiled former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, while others say it would grant amnesty to those responsible for the killing of around 90 protesters during anti-government rallies in 2010.—AP
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