The aim was to keep those booked for minor crimes or facing less than five-year imprisonment from entering the juridical process by giving prosecutors the authority to consider dropping the cases and not pressing charges.

Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam said this could prevent or solve the problem of overcrowded prisons.

Those with minor political charges could also benefit from what could be similar to an amnesty, he said.

Whether the bill might apply to past prime ministers Thaksin Shinawatra and his sister Yingluck depended on the types of charges.

According to the bill, instead of seeking an indictment, prosecutors could give some time for a suspect to improve his behaviour. Then they might withhold legal action and lift the charges against that person.

Attempts by many governments since Thanin’s time to enact similar legislation have failed.

The draft bill would now be forwarded to the National Legislative Assembly for deliberation, Wissanu said.