Thai amnesty bill passes lower house

Thailand's lower house of parliament has passed a political amnesty bill that critics say could allow the return of former PM Thaksin Shinawatra.

The amnesty applies to offences committed during the political turmoil after Mr Thaksin was ousted in a coup.

The opposition Democrat Party says the passage of the bill will trigger street protests, and critics say the amnesty would allow human rights abuses to go unpunished.

Jonathan Head reports from Bangkok.