Prime Minister Urges Political Parties To Propose Charter Amendments

[Samuian]

Well all this is called "bargaining Power" - cause some unrest,

hold an entire Nation hostage, threaten to create more unrest

and Bingo, here we go - general Amnesty is in the books and a

constitutional court judge puts the decisions of Parliament above theirs.

What a farce!

The End was in the Beginning - a Trojan Horse called Newin!

TiT!

His Group of 16 already unseated a Democrat led Government already,

within the next 4 years, if it takes him so long, he'll be the leader of the pack!

Edited April 23, 2009 by Samuian

[animatic]

It was incredibly funny to hear Speaker Chai's response to the Puea Thai accustation that many people had been killed. He said "feel free to bring in the bodies to show us, we'll wait"! LOL

The old boy has a dry wit for sure.

No flys on him, yet.

[Plus]

It was incredibly funny to hear Speaker Chai's response to the Puea Thai accustation that many people had been killed. He said "feel free to bring in the bodies to show us, we'll wait"! LOL

That's because before the debate Chalerm promised to bring corpses into the parliament to show proof.

>>>

Abhisit is playing with fire here, this amnesty proposal has the potential to completely discredit the parliament. I don't think it would be a coup, and not even massive street protests, just general discontent and bad mood. I'm afraid it's with us to stay for years and years and years until the current bunch clears out.

It's people vs politicians, the battle that started in 2005 but got obershadowed by the coup and red shirts.

I'm waiting to see when red shirts realise who their real enemies are, the amatiatipattai is only a diversion, a red hering, but it proved too much for mighty isanese brains and even progressive retards like Giles.

[kurtgruen]

PM to proceed with amnesty plan

By: BangkokPost.com

Published: 23/04/2009 at 11:44 AM Prime Minister and Democrat party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva will push forward the plan to grant amnesty to disqualified politicians even though some senior party members may oppose the idea.

Mr Abhisit said on Thursday it was not unusual that people might disagree with his call for reconciliation by granting amnesty to politicians banned from political affairs and to ask all parties to contribute suggestions for changes to the 2007 constitution over the next two weeks.

Democrat chief adviser and former prime minister Chuan Leekpai and party adviser Banyat Bantadtan are among those who might not be convinced amnesty is a good idea.

Mr Abhisit insisted that by supporting amnesty he had no intention to protect the Democrat party from dissolution.

He also indicated the state of emergency in Bangkok could be lifted soon.

The Emergency Decree has been enforced in the capital and some areas of Nonthaburi, Samut Prakan, Pathum Thani, Nakhon Pathom and Ayutthaya provinces since April 13.

Mr Chuan, who is recovering from septicemia, said the Democrat party had yet to discuss the amnesty proposal and the plan to amend the charter.

The former prime minister said he would respect the party's decisions.

He also affirmed that there were no rifts between him and Deputy Prime Minister and Democrat secretary-general Suthep Thaugsuban.

Now we will see, if the PAD is for real, in wanting to protect the Charter and to fight corruption. This should bring out PAD demonstrators right away, because this is another direct assault on the idea of an honest government. Giving Amnesty to crooks in Government, doesn't create a good government. It will move the country backwards again.

Bringing those vote buying crooks to justice in the first place, was a big step in the right direction, towards true democracy. Now, they want to give them Amnesty, that's insane. How can you expect anyone to stand against corruption, when it is so blatantly practiced from the top down? Sad, very sad.

If I was Thai, I would feel ashamed right now.

[kurtgruen]

Just found this on TAN NETWORK

TOC NEWS

People's Alliance in Mahasarakam Opposes Charter Amendment

UPDATE : 23 April 2009

Yellow-shirt supporters of the People’s Alliance for Democracy in Mahasarakam province declared their opposition to an amnesty plan and amendment to the 2007 Constitution, which they believe benefits convicted and banned politicians.

The People’s Alliance for Democracy in Mahasarakam province, led by Sutthipong Hoksuwan, announced that the group disapproves of the proposed amnesty bill and changes to the 2007 charter, saying that the move seems to protect politicians, including exiled former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, against prosecution.

The group also called on politicians to not support constitutional changes or the amnesty bill because they are inconsistent with the public interest, saying politicians who favor such initiatives are only thinking about personal benefits.

[samgrowth]

Thai people like to forgive.

It is part of Thai "Tum Boon" culture.

Let's release all the prisons too, to lighten the burden of the correction department.

Rapists, Murderers and Bank robbers, etc. do as you please. TiT

[Plus]

PAD was against the amnesty right from the start, it was in the news a couple of days ago but that doesn't mean they going to start street protests anytime soon.

>>

This amnesty is not driven by compassion, it was forced by staging mass riots and burning Bangkok. What good can possibly come out of this?

PTP behavior in parliament during current debate clearly shows that there will be no reconciliation of any kind. Waste of time, brace yourself for another round of fighting.

[Old Man River]

PAD was against the amnesty right from the start, it was in the news a couple of days ago but that doesn't mean they going to start street protests anytime soon.

>>

This amnesty is not driven by compassion, it was forced by staging mass riots and burning Bangkok. What good can possibly come out of this?

PTP behavior in parliament during current debate clearly shows that there will be no reconciliation of any kind. Waste of time, brace yourself for another round of fighting.

To the extent possible, Abhisit needs to show the people of Thailand that they are open minded and willing to extend the "olive branch." I know you said this before (albeit worded differently), and I agree, at the end of the day it really doesn't matter what the Dem's offer as some people don't have the capacity and/or willingness to understand.

As long as Thaksin et. al. are allowed to run free, this country will never be safe.

[Lite Beer]

Post referring to His Majesty deleted.

[Cayenne]

To the extent possible, Abhisit needs to show the people of Thailand that they are open minded and willing to extend the "olive branch." I know you said this before (albeit worded differently), and I agree, at the end of the day it really doesn't matter what the Dem's offer as some people don't have the capacity and/or willingness to understand.

As long as Thaksin et. al. are allowed to run free, this country will never be safe.

I honestly don't know what else we can do...the government has already extended the olive branch but it seems the PTP is just acting like a spoiled child; they've lost the red shirt protest and with each passing day they're showing that they care more about their personal interests than that of the nation.

What is their problem? (Rhetorical question, I suppose)

[sriracha john]

Referendum may be held on amnesty idea: PM

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said Sunday that the government may hold a national referendum on the proposal to give an amnesty to banned politicians.

Speaking during his weekly "Confidence in Thailand with Prime Minister Abhisit" on Channel 11, the prime minister said political parties have yet to discuss the proposal to grant amnesty for political offenses.

"The process may require a public referendum to be carried out first," Abhisit said.

He reiterated that criminal offenses must not be covered under the plan to grant amnesty.

-- The Nation 2009-04-26

[Scott]

Voting? Is this part of the stimulus package?

[sriracha john]

Thai PM: Referendum may be held on amnesty idea

BANGKOK, April 26 (Xinhua) -- A national referendum may be held on the proposal of amnesty to banned politicians, Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said Sunday.

"The process may require a public referendum to be carried out first," Abhisit said in his weekly TV address, referring to the proposal of a grant amnesty for political offenses, which the prime minister said has yet to be discussed among political parties.

He reiterated, however, that criminal offenses must not be covered under the plan, which practically rules out the possibility of the convicted former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra's amnesty.

Thaksin, who was ousted in September 2006 by a military coup, now lives in self-imposed exile to avoid a two-year jail term on the charge of power abuse.

Key lawmakers earlier had voiced support for the idea of a general amnesty for all 220 banned executives of political parties dissolved since the 2006 coup, although some parliamentarians and members of the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) remain opposed to it, saying it is inappropriate to lift the ban for Thaksin's allies from politics after they were found guilty of electoral fraud.

Peerapan Palusuk, MP from the main opposition Pheu Thai Party, said on April 21 that his party would respond favorably to Abhisit's call for a charter rewrite and amnesty to pave way for the political reconciliation of Thailand.

[animatic]

You can buy your own votes to be MP,

but how do you buy a referendums voter,

by buying whole villages maybe? That's been done.

It will be interesting to see how a NON-Election based referendum can be run here.

Is the EC in charge? Guess so. Who oversees all this?

Can of worms filled with Thaksin's 1,000baht notes...

Edited April 27, 2009 by animatic

[kurtgruen]

This is an interesting article from the Post, relating to what is going on....

A core leader of the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD), Chamlong Srimuang, gives his views on a new PAD-led political party, the attempt on the life of fellow PAD leader Sondhi Limthongkul, and current politics, after the end of the violent red-shirt protests. Ads by Google

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The PAD is to set up a new political party. What will "new politics" be like?

The new political party will not be a copycat of the now-defunct Palang Dharma Party (PDP) that I founded 21 years ago, but will be established on principles based on lessons learnt by the PDP. A grand PAD meeting on May 24 and 25 will discuss the new party's set-up.

The new party, which has not been named, should command a majority of MP seats after the next general election, and will be a coalition member in the next government.

It will be useless if we cannot lead the coalition or form a government, because there will be nothing new to Thai politics.

PAD supporters nationwide are divided into two groups - those in favour of the new party and those who prefer that the PAD remains an independent advocacy group in politics. PAD representatives from each of the 76 provinces, and those living in the US, will decide at the grand meeting on the initial principles of the new party.

Palang Dharma actually practised the so-called "new politics" which has been heralded by the PAD, even back before 1988, when the party was established. In 1990, an American professor who did his doctoral thesis at London University, later wrote a book entitled: "Chamlong Srimuang and the New Politics". I guess it was then that the new politics was first recognised.

The new party will be successful because of three factors that Palang Dharma did not have at that time: The Election Commission will watch out for and punish vote-buying, the support of PAD members across the country, and cable channel ASTV.

It is important that the new party lead the coalition in the next government, otherwise it will be no different to all the "old politics", with its vote-buying, mud-slinging and money politics.

Who attempted to assassinate Sondhi Limthongkul, a core PAD leader?

I don't know, but there two motives behind the murder attempt: PAD has tremendous support from the masses across the country and ASTV's success as a mouthpiece for the PAD, which is known as the core of the anti-Thaksin Shinawatra movement.

Why was Sonthi the first target, as a leader of yellow-shirted people, instead of those in red shirts?

The people who gave the order didn't care who they killed, first or later. But the current political turmoil dictated the order of kills. More importanly, there are known leaders of yellow-shirted people, who are even classsified as prime and secondary leaders, while there are no known leaders of red-shirted people. Should Thaksin be killed first? He stays abroad now.

Was there really an effort to lure yellow shirts and red shirts on to the street to fight one another?

Yes, but we did not walk into that trap. Somebody may use the ensuing violence as an excuse to oppress both yellow and red shirts, citing himself as a knight on a white horse. It's the government's duty to deal with lawless protesters, not the PAD's.

As you have confirmed, there was an effort to stage a coup on April 12 and 13, a day before the red-shirted supporters' busiest activities and street protests. Why was it aborted?

A coup was seen as essential to bring peace - and secondly, it may have been used as bargaining power in exchange for a law to pardon [Thaksin], to promulgate a so-called Reconciliation Act, or even to amend the Constitution. Yet, I don't know why it was aborted.

What did the people behind the coup and the assassination attempt want?

They wanted power. They wanted to pardon some wrongdoers so they could escape serving prison terms and asset seizure. Or they wanted more and more power to become bigger in the country.

Does the ideology of some die-hard communists still exist? Was there any effort to revive it along with other tactics [used by the red shirts]?

Some die-hard communists who became Thaksin's allies will still pursue their ideology despite the collapse of Soviet-era communism and the capitalism now adopted by China. But it is very difficult for them to achieve their goal. They came up this time with a clear stance against the monarchy - a policy they never stated clearly during their armed struggle then. And they are complaining about the PAD using their anti-monarchy policy as the main goal in our campaign. It's clear to everyone now that PAD always tells the truth.

Was Thaksin part of the communists' anti-monarchy movement?

Some of them - but we don't know clearly who is who - may view Thaksin as their ally.

It was the government's duty to uphold and enforce the lese majeste law, as the anti-monarchy doctrine has been spread out and is now widely accepted by people who are highly-respected lecturers, who are admired by their like-minded students.

The anti-monarchy doctrine was a threat to national security and the government must take responsibility for its inaction in dealing with the widespread violation of the lese majeste laws. I can't tell whether the PAD would "take action" to tackle the problem, if the government proved incompetent or was inactive in dealing with the issue.

What factors would prompt the PAD to launch a new round of rallies? Would the amendment of the Constitution and the pardon law be one of them?

I don't know. We must wait and see.

The PAD staged rallies against two previous governments over plans to amend the Constitution and the pardon law. Why should it be different this time?

We cannot set up such preconditions. We need to analyse the situation because the time and circumstances have changed. The PAD doesn't own the country and cannot tell the government what not to do.

Why do the same conditions not apply like they did during the two previous governments?

We do not know what articles in the Constitution are set to be amended. It's wiser for us not to talk about it in advance.

Will the PAD rally to oust the government if it does nothing to deal with people who want to pursue an anti-monarchy stance?

It's a threat the government has to deal with. It just cannot let these people get away.

How much time should the government be allowed [to act]?

Oh. We don't own the government. We are not that big or powerful. We campaigned against the Samak and Somchai governments because they clearly acted as nominees or puppets of the Thaksin regime.

Even the Abhisit government is practising the old politics at a certain point - by kowtowing to certain groups of powerful people. For example, it has changed its stance on relocation of Thai Airways' operations from Don Mueang to Suvarnabhumi Airport, and it eventually decided to draw back from a ban on alcohol sales during Songkran, under influence from liquor companies.

I don't think the Abhisit government has the actual control, or the Asean Summit in Pattaya would have proceeded and there would have been no attack at the Interior Ministry.

[hammered]

Iirc when PPP proposed a referendum on something a while back the EC said a referendum law was needed first to set a budget and rules.

A referendum on amnesty at least gives the people a say.

[webfact]

Sanan voices support for amnesty

Deputy Prime Minister Sanan Kachornprasart Monday expressed support for the idea to grant amnesty to banned politicians who were not directly involved in vote-buying.

Sanan said the Constitution should also be amended to make the vote-buying individual crime instead of requiring the parties to be liable for the vote-buying.

The Nation 2009/04/27

[samgrowth]

Sanan voices support for amnesty

Deputy Prime Minister Sanan Kachornprasart Monday expressed support for the idea to grant amnesty to banned politicians who were not directly involved in vote-buying.

Sanan said the Constitution should also be amended to make the vote-buying individual crime instead of requiring the parties to be liable for the vote-buying.

The Nation 2009/04/27

Thaksin walks free, because he is on TRT party list (hence not individual crime).

[sriracha john]

PAD may hold up political reform if it doesn't soften

Although lawmakers are close to pushing for a new round of political reforms, the People's Alliance for Democracy movement still remains a wild card.

Should the PAD refuse to join the reform process, then the road out of fractious politics might end up being very bumpy indeed with the red shirts keeping up their street protests for no other reason than to spite their yellow-shirted rivals.

The direction the PAD takes has been further complicated by the recent gun attack against the group's founder Sondhi Limthongkul. Even though the police have yet to solve the crime, it would not stop Sondhi and his yellow-clad supporters from trying to squeeze political gains out of the incident.

Based on remarks made by PAD co-leaders, the yellow shirts are gearing up to take a hard stance instead of sitting at the negotiating table to forge reconciliation.

Though PAD's absence may not derail the reforms, it would certainly be a thorn in its side.

Following a general debate on the Songkran mayhem, MPs and senators have pretty much agreed to try and remove inflammatory issues that fuelled the turmoil in the first place. They might have different ideas on how to achieve this, but it is encouraging that they all share the same goal.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva pledged to explore all possibilities and map out a solution that is just and acceptable to rivalling camps. He said he wanted to involve all parties concerned and was open-minded about the means to bring political animosity to an end.

Lawmakers and the government have agreed to let the legislative branch play a key role in spearheading the reform process.

After consulting with coalition, opposition and Senate whips, Parliament President Chai Chidchob is planning to appoint a special committee to compile a report on pertinent issues needed to overcome the turmoil.

It is noteworthy that opposition lawmakers and red-shirt co-leaders have toned down their rhetoric. In reciprocation, the Democrats have been holding their tongues so as not to inflame an already volatile situation. Plus, Contentious demands like the resignation of privy councillors and the prime minister have been quietly phased out.

Red-shirt co-leader Natthawut Saikua has conceded that reconciliation might not be a far-fetched idea, provided the Democrats and their coalition partners are truly sincere in rewriting unjust rules.

However, he fundamental problem, as perceived by the Pheu Thai Party and the red shirts, still remains the leniency being applied to the yellow shirts.

Still, preparations are being made to bring about reconciliation. The process might include a charter rewrite and a debate on amnesty for political, but not criminal, offences.

At this juncture, the coalition and the opposition have shown a readiness to factor in all necessary means for an amicable settlement on thorny issues.

Abhisit has made it clear that he is willing to hold a referendum on issues such as amnesty and contentious charter provisions, although the legislative branch will have to take the initiative on the matter.

If things go according to plan, an end to the political polarisation is close to becoming a reality.

Politicians of all stripes have tacitly agreed on a limited charter rewrite, sufficient to pave way for a snap election and may be dissipate the animosity. This should leave the next government with a fresh mandate to bring about the reforms in their entirety.

Should the reform process be on track, snap elections should be held by the yearend or next year.

Despite their differences, opposing sides have one thing in common - seeking an end to the political polarisation after the next polls. However, this may or may not happen due to PAD's uncertain stance.

Varying scenarios for fixing the political system have been designed to accommodate rival players in mainstream politics. The Democrats are expected to thrive alongside the Pheu Thai Party.

But will it upset the apple cart if the PAD decides to form a party to contest in the next polls? More importantly, will the polarisation deepen should Sondhi decide to contend for the position of prime minister?

-- The Nation 2009-04-28

[sriracha john]

PM warned against amnesty

Key Democrats are warning Party Leader and Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva not to have the charter amended so banned rival politicians are given an amnesty. The public and other political parties would abandon and isolate the Democrats if the amendments went through, Party members said.

One member said the warning was given priority yesterday at a meeting of Party executives and MPs. Deputy Leader Chalermchai Sri-on proposed the agenda and told the meeting about 30 Party members disagreed with any charter amendment that would pardon banned politicians.

Party Adviser and MP Banyat Bantadtan asked how the Democrats could explain to the public any switch to support such a constitutional amendment.

Continued:

-- Bangkok Post 2009-04-29

[Plus]

Pheu Thai threatens to boycott tripartite reconciliation panel

The Pheu Thai Party Wednesday threatened to boycott the tripartite committee to bring about political reconciliation and study charter amendments.

Witthaya Buranasiri, chief opposition whip, said the Pheu Thai would not send it representatives to join the panel if the Parliament does not set up a panel to review the political violence during the Songkran holidays.

The tripartite panel is supposed to have representatives from the government, opposition and Senate.

The Nation

[Old Man River]

Pheu Thai threatens to boycott tripartite reconciliation panel

The Pheu Thai Party Wednesday threatened to boycott the tripartite committee to bring about political reconciliation and study charter amendments.

The tripartite panel is supposed to have representatives from the government, opposition and Senate.

The Nation

I have said all along that Abhisit is the northeast's best friend since he really is trying to do the right thing, despite non agreement from his own party. Still, the PTP continue to confirm the stereotype that they are too stupid to recognize it. If he fails, the people of the northeast have nobody to blame but themselves.

[LawnGnome]

Pheu Thai threatens to boycott tripartite reconciliation panel

The Pheu Thai Party Wednesday threatened to boycott the tripartite committee to bring about political reconciliation and study charter amendments.

The tripartite panel is supposed to have representatives from the government, opposition and Senate.

The Nation

I have said all along that Abhisit is the northeast's best friend since he really is trying to do the right thing, despite non agreement from his own party. Still, the PTP continue to confirm the stereotype that they are too stupid to recognize it. If he fails, the people of the northeast have nobody to blame but themselves.

Puea Thai became obsolete when the first bus started burning. Thai's might not have a lot of formal education (the majority at least), but they know a turkey when they see it. Puea Thai is a big dead turkey, and its starting to stink horribly. Abhisit is going to be in power a looooong time. Thank God.

[grandpops]

Pheu Thai threatens to boycott tripartite reconciliation panel

The Pheu Thai Party Wednesday threatened to boycott the tripartite committee to bring about political reconciliation and study charter amendments.

The tripartite panel is supposed to have representatives from the government, opposition and Senate.

The Nation

I have said all along that Abhisit is the northeast's best friend since he really is trying to do the right thing, despite non agreement from his own party. Still, the PTP continue to confirm the stereotype that they are too stupid to recognize it. If he fails, the people of the northeast have nobody to blame but themselves.

Puea Thai became obsolete when the first bus started burning. Thai's might not have a lot of formal education (the majority at least), but they know a turkey when they see it. Puea Thai is a big dead turkey, and its starting to stink horribly. Abhisit is going to be in power a looooong time. Thank God.

Abhisit isn't ever going to be in power, thats the point.

The only PM ever to have a full elected majority and be independent of the Elites was Thaksin.

Thats why you now have (after three years or army meddling, a rigged election, the banning of anybody who garnered more votes than the Democrats, the conscription of Newin into the ranks and the army standing by whist PAD destabalised the country and promptly showing up in force at the first sign of a comeback by Thaksin) a Junta installed puppet.

You perhaps can't see it, but all of the serious mainstream media see it like that.

[sriracha john]

Abhist bewilders over Pheu Thai's change of stance

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva on Wednesday raised a doubt why the Pheu Thai Party changed its stance not to join the committee to amend the Constitution.

Abhisit said many Pheu Thai Party MPs had earlier committed to the idea of amending the Constitution during the general debate in Parliament last week.

He said he had no idea if the change in their stance towards Constitution amendment has anything to do with former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra's announcement for the red shirts to continue the anti-government movement.

"I would like to call on every one to find a way out. Bring in provisions that he objects to for consideration. The House Speaker will help find solutions,'' he said.

The government, opposition, and Senate whips had agreed to set up a committee to solve political problems, bring about reconciliation and amend the Constitution. They decided that the committee comprise government and Opposition MPs and Senators.

-- The Nation 2009-04-30

[sriracha john]

Senate selects panel members for charter review, riots probe

The Senate has voted to select members of two tripartite panels to study constitutional amendments and to investigate the Songkran red shirt riots.

The Senate selected seven Senators and two non-parliamentarian experts to sit on the tripartite panels studying political reform for reconciliation and charter amendments, and another seven Senators plus two non-parliamentarian experts to sit on the tripartite panel investigating the Songkran riots.

The two non-parliamentarians on the panel on political reform and charter review are former Senator Chirmsak Pinthong and veteran public administrator Prasongsak Boondej.

Continued:

-- Bangkok Post 2009-05-02

[sriracha john]

PM Abhisit: constitutional amendments should be open for public's participation

BANGKOK, 2 May 2009 (NNT) – Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva asserted today that the amendment to the Constitution should be open to the general public to participate, since everyone had the same target in reducing divergences in the nation.

Mr. Abhisit today talked about constitutional amendments that there were still sections with problems and difficulties. He then said that the amendments should be open for the general public to participate and voice their opinions in order to prevent the same problems in the past from re-occurring.

In terms of the time-frame for the amendments completion, the PM said that it would depend on the committee, but should not be too time-consuming.

-- NNT 2009-05-02

[sriracha john]

Reconciliation committee has 45 days to frame suggestions

The Reconciliation Committee for Political Reform and Constitution Amendment will begin its work in earnest on Thursday afternoon with a 45-day time frame to come out with recommendations, said Committee Chairman Direk Thuengfang, an appointed Senator. Direk said the committee would listen to all parties and sides, including ordinary citizens.

The Committee's guiding principle, said Direk, will be reconciliation. Direk refused to go into details about which articles of the 2007 junta-sponsored charter should be amended and was reserved about the issue of granting amnesty to politicians banned from politics for five years by the Constitution Court, saying that it would not be appropriate for the Committee to discuss the matter at this stage.

Direk said he doubted whether his task would go smoothly.

"I am worried about the work, as there will be people on both sides who agree and disagree, but I'm determined to solve the problem for the country as I don't belong to either side, nor do I belong to a political party," Direk said.

"This Committee signals a good beginning. It's better than doing nothing. Political conflict should be dealt with in Parliament through negotiation. I think we're on the right track," he said.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said yesterday he was confident the Committee would be acceptable to the general public.

Meanwhile, Election Commission member Sodsri Satayatham, said she supported the amendment of article 237 of the charter, which would in effect offer automatic amnesty to politicians. This, she said, is better than continuing to have banned politicians pulling political strings from behind the scenes while their proxies compete.

She added, however, that the Committee must listen to the people as the charter was the highest law in the land.

In a related development, Democrat Party MP for Phatthalung province Nipit Indrasombat warned the Committee not to lead public opinion. He urged all sides to place their cards on the table and work things out from there on.

Nipit, who also sits on the reconciliation panel, said there might be a need for a national referendum if opinions were split almost equally on issues such as amnesty.

-- The Nation 2009-05-03

[sriracha john]

PAD slams charter rewrite to grant amnesty to politicians

The People's Alliance for Democracy yesterday opposed a rewrite of the charter designed to grant amnesty for political offences and accused the government of going soft on rogue politicians.

The PAD is seen as hardening its stand on the proposed political clean-up. It is now at odds with the government, which has pinned its hopes on bringing about reconciliation through a rewrite of the charter.

"It is totally unacceptable to rewrite the charter in order to grant amnesty to politicians convicted of electoral fraud," PAD co-leader Somsak Kosaisuk said.

Somsak said he could not condone the rewrite process in which politicians were involved in changing the rules for their own kind.

"The amendments to help whitewash electoral fraud should never be construed as part of political reforms," he said.

PAD co-leader Pipop Thongchai said he wanted to remind the public that political problems were often caused by politicians who refused to reform themselves.

The charter rewrite will make no headway if politicians remain willing to cross the line and commit fraud in order to grab or cling to power, he said.

PAD co-leader Somkiart Pongpaiboon said he expected Parliament to be increasingly mired in political rift in the next few months as rival camps fight on issues related to charter rewrite and amnesty.

Somkiart urged all parties concerned to respect the law instead of trying to rewrite the rules.

The turmoil can reach a speedy conclusion if all sides, including the PAD, uphold the law, he said, adding that PAD figures like himself are willing to accept punishment if convicted of any wrongdoing relating to street protests by the yellow shirts.

PAD co-leader Chamlong Srimuang said the turmoil persisted because the government appeared unwilling to enforce the law.

-- The Nation 2009-05-04

Edited May 4, 2009 by sriracha john

[sriracha john]

PAD readies to protest constitution changes

Yellow shirts gather to prepare strategy

The People's Alliance for Democracy will meet at the end of the month to decide whether to renew its street protests after its leaders voiced opposition to proposed constitutional amendments and the granting of an amnesty to banned politicians.

The PAD leaders said the alliance would hold a meeting on May 24 and 25 to map out their strategy. The meeting will draw supporters from across the country.

PAD coordinator Suriyasai Katasila said the gathering had already been prepared.

Continued:

-- Bangkok Post 2009-05-04