Difficult to grant amnesty now

Before the election, Yingluck said that amnesty for Thaksin was not the top priority. Was she being ambivalent in that amnesty is only related to political acts? If a politician steals, it is not a political crime. If a politician uses his position to advance his own wealth or those of his friends or family, it is not a political crime. It is theft. If he uses the exchequer to finance the benefits, it is the worse crime of theft from an employer whilst in a position of trust.

Thaksin Shinawatra cannot be granted "amnesty". He could contest the court decision or he could plead for a "pardon" at the Supreme Court after an admission of guilt. As the current foreign minister has trashed the credibility of the court with his visa application to Japan, this may be a problem

Richard Bowler

Bangkok