Thai officials convicted in corruption cases involving more than 1 billion baht ($28 million) could face the death penalty under a proposal approved Monday by the military-appointed National Reform Steering Committee.
Analysts say such a stern punishment for all forms of graft was a further way for the ruling junta to control its opponents, including allies of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who was ousted in a 2006 coup.
Of the 162 steering committee members present Monday, 155 voted in favor of the measure. It also stipulates that officials who are found guilty of corruption worth less than 1 billion baht could face up to five years in prison.