Thai govt backs off Thaksin pardon plan

Thailand's government has ruled out a royal pardon for fugitive ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra, according to the justice minister, after strong criticism from opponents to a reported draft decree.
Thaksin lives abroad to escape a jail term for corruption, but a cabinet meeting last week reportedly endorsed a royal pardon that could allow him to return without serving time, prompting an angry response from his rivals.
"(Thaksin) will not receive any benefit," from this year's royal pardon, Justice Minister Pracha Promnok told reporters late Sunday.