Thai senate unanimously rejects amnesty bill: deputy speaker

Thailand's senate today unanimously rejected a contentious political amnesty bill, the deputy speaker said, as tens of thousands of anti-government protesters massed on Bangkok's streets.

"This house rejects this bill for consideration," he said, adding all of the 141 senators present voted against the legislation, which critics say was aimed at helping divisive former premier Thaksin Shinawatra return to Thailand from self-exile.