PHUKET: Thailand's social media networks buzzed tonight with reports about a plan to have a quick amnesty granted to fugitive former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra that would allow him to serve only a day or two in jail before being granted his freedom.



At least one news report in the Thai language media this evening suggests the idea has been approved in secret by the inner core of the Thai Cabinet, which met today under current Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra*. She is Khun Thaksin's sister.



[*We've since learned that Khun Yingluck was absent from the Cabinet meeting, dealing with the floods.]



An amnesty virtually certain to be granted for prisoners in Thailand to mark the 84th birthday of HM The King on December 5 is likely to include prisoners over 60 and those who have sentences of less than three years.



Thai media was reporting this evening that the plan involved Khun Thaksin returning to Thailand, being arrested and jailed for his outstanding two year sentence, then being freed in a day or two under the terms of a general amnesty.



Khun Thaksin would fulfil both criteria, being over 60 and also being a prisoner serving a term of less than three years.



If there is truth in the reports, the plan would undermine or contradict virtually every public comment Khun Yingluck has made about her brother and his status as a fugitive since she became Prime Minister.



However, a core group of Thaksin supporters would welcome back former Prime Minister Thaksin, who continues to be seen by many to be the absentee leader of the Pheu Thai party, which leads the Government alliance.



Phuketwan has yet to independently confirm the reports.