House Rejects Amnesty Bill Proposal Amid Political Division

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In a significant move, the House of Representatives has rejected a proposal to draft an amnesty bill for political offenders, including those charged with lèse majesté, by a vote of 270 to 149. The rejection highlights deep divisions within the ruling Pheu Thai party and across the political spectrum. The proposal, which came after deliberations by a House panel, was primarily opposed by government coalition MPs, while the opposition-backed People’s party largely supported it.

 

The debate, presided over by Deputy House Speaker Pichit Chuamuangphan, centred around the necessity of an inclusive amnesty. Former Move Forward party leader Chaithawat Tulathon argued that addressing both political offences and lèse majesté was crucial for genuine reconciliation. However, divergent views persisted, with some suggesting conditional amnesty as a middle ground.

 

People’s party MP Sasinan Thamnithinan addressed concerns about the misuse of lèse majesté laws, emphasising the human impact on those unjustly charged. Conversely, Jurin Laksanawisit, former Democrat party leader, opposed the panel's proposal, fearing it could lead to widespread exoneration of lèse majesté offenders, which remains a contentious issue.

 

Chusak Sirinil of the Pheu Thai party, and chairman of the House panel, noted the report's potential future utility despite the sensitivity surrounding the issue. He clarified that the panel's observations were non-binding, leaving space for future legislative efforts. The rejection underscores the challenges in navigating political reconciliation in Thailand.

 

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-- 2024-10-25