Call for amnesty Bill protest

epa03929594 Thai Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva (C) receives flowers from supporters at the Parliament House in Bangkok, Thailand, 30 October 2013. Thailand's opposition Democrat Party calls its members for a nationwide rally on 31 October 2013, to oppose the planned amnesty bill by the ruling Pheu Thai party, claiming it is an attempt to whitewash former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. Thaksin, who is convicted to two-year in prison and lives abroad, is the de facto head of the Pheu Thai government that leads the current coalition government. His sister, Yingluck Shinawatra, is the current prime minister. EPA/NARONG SANGNAK

BANGKOK: Thailand’s opposition called for mass protests against a politically-charged amnesty Bill that critics fear will clear the way for the return of fugitive former premier Thaksin Shinawatra.

The controversial legislation, which is due to be debated in parliament on today, would cover all crimes related to political unrest since 2004, apart from defaming the monarchy.