Thai Law Voiding Verdicts To Be Tabled

[webfact]

HOUSE DELIBERATION

Law voiding verdicts to be tabled

The Nation

MP Watana Muangsuk, deputy chairman of the House committee for national reconciliation, and Sonthi Boonyaratglin, the chairman.

Would give amnesty to those behind 2010 crackdown; allow Thaksin re-trial

BANGKOK: -- The House of Representatives is expected to deliberate on a new law that would allow a retrial to be held for fugitive former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who was sentenced to two years in jail over power abuse after the 2006 military coup.

MP Watana Muangsuk, deputy chairman of the House committee for national reconciliation, said yesterday that the panel's chairman, Matubhum Party leader General Sonthi Boonyaratglin, would be submitting the reconciliation bill for House deliberation.

He said the law would grant amnesty to protesters and state officials involved in the 2010 crackdown, which would also cover then-prime minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and his deputy Suthep Thaugsuban.

"In addition, orders issued by relevant state agencies after the coup will be expunged, so people who were ruled upon by court can enter the justice process again. Thaksin will have to return for a retrial," Watana, who hails from the pro-Thaksin ruling Pheu Thai Party, said.

He said he did not think expunging the court verdicts would reduce the credibility of the judicial system, adding that it was not likely that everyone would agree to the amnesty. "Certainly there will be some people who are not satisfied, but we have to let our country move ahead," he said.

The law would also lift the ban on electoral rights on politicians whose parties were dissolved by court after the coup, Wattana added. He said Article 7 of the eight-article law would also allow the damaged party to take legal action.

Sonthi submitted the draft reconciliation law on Thursday for House deliberation, Deputy House speaker Charoen Jankomol said yesterday, adding that he expected the matter to be tabled for deliberation by Wednesday or Thursday.

"However, the House might put the bill higher on the agenda for earlier deliberation," he added.

Sonthi, then Army chief, led a coup in September 2006 that brought down Thaksin's government. He cited widespread corruption, interference into independent organisations, possible violent clashes between rivalling political groups and disrespect to the monarchy as major reasons for staging the coup.

'Consult Constitution Court'

Meanwhile, Kaewsun Atibodhi, former member of the post-coup Assets Examination Committee (AEC), said yesterday that issuing a new law to cancel the legal impact of judicial orders could go against the Constitution. He suggested that the Constitution Court be consulted about this issue.

He said the AEC had been appointed lawfully by the coupmakers after they seized government power. "AEC members followed the law when performing their duties," he said.

Kaewsun said this "reconciliation law" should actually be called the "amnesty law" because it would be granting amnesty to people involved in the 2010 political riots and exempt Thaksin from his conviction. He said the 2010 political turmoil was different from the pro-democracy protests in October 1973 and May 1992 because they had not been planned.

In a separate development, the Democrats and senators revealed that the bill had suspiciously been added to the House agenda for deliberation on Wednesday.

Doubts from Democrats

Chief opposition whip Jurin Laksanawisit said yesterday that he suspected the government of having gone back on its promise to not rush through reconciliation designed to help Thaksin overcome his legal predicament.

"It is clear that the government is trying to be sneaky," he said.

Previously, the government had said it would hold a public dialogue to form a consensus on mending fences before pushing for the passage of the reconciliation bill, he said, adding that political strife might erupt again if the government continued pushing for legislation designed to benefit just one man.

In a related development, yellow-shirt leaders will today discuss and announce their response to the proposed law, People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) spokesman Panthep Puapongpan said yesterday.

He also said that the group called on the Office of the Attorney-General (OAG) to expedite a case in which the PAD accused 416 MPs and senators supporting constitutional amendment of acting against the country's political system. The PAD is calling on the OAG to take the issue to the Constitution Court as soon as possible because the PAD had no more documents to provide, he said.

Meanwhile, some MPs from the coalition Chart Thai Pattana Party said yesterday that their names had been included in the list of supporters of the reconciliation bill without their consent.

MPs Tun Jintavech and Korawi Prissanananthakul said they had not given their consent to the party to use their names as supporters of the bill.

However, another party MP Chada Thaiseth said the party had earlier resolved to support the bill and he could remember exactly when the decision was made.

Key points of the National Reconciliation Bill

Article 3: Any conduct related to political assembly or expression of political opinions between September 15, 2005 and May 10, 2011 that were deemed illegal will no longer be illegal and the wrongdoers will be freed from responsibility for the misconduct.

The misconduct includes:

1. Misconduct caused by political assembly or expression of political opinion including violation of law prohibiting any anti-government gatherings, statements or advertisements or any disobedience of government officials as well as protests that affect other people physically or their assets.

2. Any conduct by government officials or anybody related to the prevention or suppression of political assembly, expression of political opinions or any related conducts.

Article 4: Once this law is effective, investigation and legal action against a person as per Article 3 must be stopped. If the case is in court, then the court must dismiss it. If the person is already convicted, then the person must be deemed as never having been convicted. If the person has been serving the penalty, then the penalty must end and the person released.

Article 5: People affected by the conduct or the operation of an organisation or group of people appointed under the order of the Council for National Security or the council's chairman, who seized power on September 19, 2006, will not be considered suspects or wrongdoers. The statement in Article 4 shall be applied and all related organisations will treat the people according to the rule of law.

Article 6: The revocation of the voting rights of former executives of a dissolved party will be ended and the persons will be deemed as those whose voting rights had never been revoked once this law is effective.

Article 7: Any conduct according to this law will not be considered as a reason to end one's right to take civil action and seek compensation for any damages from people whose penalty has been lifted as per this law.

-- The Nation 2012-05-26

[Time Traveller]

So under the proposed Article 3 it seems that this will make Murder (or in government language " Any conduct by government officials or anybody related to the prevention or suppression of political assembly") within that time no longer illegal?

Edited May 25, 2012 by Time Traveller

[LuckyLew]

Why not cut to the chase ... we all know what the end result is

Let the guy back, give him his money back ... make him the PM

let him do everything he wants, ley him exact his revenge on all

opponents ... then another coup ... deja vue ...all over again

This country is one big merry go round .... for some reason people

think they can do the exact same thing and end up with different results

[OzMick]

So under the proposed Article 3 it seems that this will make Murder (or in government language " Any conduct by government officials or anybody related to the prevention or suppression of political assembly") within that time no longer illegal?

Yes. The recent killing of a policeman would fit in nicely, the killer was after all wearing his red shirt. Though yellow or even pink or blue might have a claim. If it was checked/plaid he could claim he was politically confused.

Murder as a legitimate form of political expression - who would of thunk it?

[FOODLOVER]

I wish the reds would see him for what he is. Used their deaths for his own self serving purposes and craps in their faces with the PM not even showing to give compensation. All about one man. So sad for the truly poor in Thailand.

[culicine]

He said he did not think expunging the court verdicts would reduce the credibility of the judicial system, adding that it was not likely that everyone would agree to the amnesty. "Certainly there will be some people who are not satisfied, but we have to let our country move ahead," he said

What a load of rubbish! Not everyone would agree? How about an assembly of 500K-1M plus people in the centre of BKK to protest this. And they don't leave.....

Throwing out all court decisions and bringing the T back in this manner can in no way let the country move ahead. Such an action will perpetuate further coups - where wrongdoers can protest, force coup, get into power then expunge their naughty deeds. What a dirty cycle to be caught in!

[Crushdepth]

Awesome. An amnesty and refund and restoration of political career, while retaining the right to sue others even though they are also getting an 'amnesty'. That's fair

Edited May 26, 2012 by Crushdepth

[GentlemanJim]

"Certainly there will be some people who are not satisfied, but we have to let our country move ahead," he said

If they want to let the Country move forward then jail the ba****ds who are responsible for the crimes against this country!

White Wash!!

[Yunla]

A guilty person who is wasting this much money, time, and human lives, just to clear his own tarnished name, is an arrogant and unrepentant wastrel. A guilty person who commits these actions at state-level in a poor developing-world nation that is socially and economically fragile at this time, is an uncaring despot.

He could have walked away with his stolen money & lived out his days in the type of luxury that most people can not even dream of, yet he hovers vulture-like over this nation, fermenting divisions, unbalancing people's lives, and uprooting the first green shoots of a fledgling democracy.

Edited May 26, 2012 by Yunla

[Chang_paarp]

This should be interesting.

Everyone got an exit plan?

Hope the silliness is not too violent.

Sent from my GT-I9100 using Thaivisa Connect App

[Moruya]

What a joke this is becoming

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Thaivisa Connect App

[somtumlion]

What a joke this is becoming

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Thaivisa Connect App

becoming?

[OzMick]

The cut-off date for legal mayhem is strange, set at 10th May 2011 according to the article. As this was the day the red shirts unleashed a murderous attack on the RTA, is anybody who failed to leave the "peaceful protest" considered to be a co-conspirator and/or accessory?

While absolving the leaders, this would leave a swag of red minions facing charges.

[kimamey]

Contrast this to Abhisit who is prepared to give up immunity to answer any charges against him and Suthep. I assume he agreed to this as well which is a plus for him in my eyes as I don't really like his attitude but credit where it's due. I know it says Thaksin will get a retrial but I have little faith in that not ending in him getting away with it or going on for long enough for him to be so old he can just retire somewhere. If he is found guilty will he just run away like last time.

I was under the impression that all the evidence against Abhisit and the military was in place showing him to be guilty. If that's the case why not just get on with it?

[noitom]

Thai law = oxymoron.

[ramrod711]

He said he did not think expunging the court verdicts would reduce the credibility of the judicial system,

impossible to reduce credibility from zero. these people are so corrupt that even i am surprised, which i didn't think was possible.

[otherstuff1957]

The cut-off date for legal mayhem is strange, set at 10th May 2011 according to the article. As this was the day the red shirts unleashed a murderous attack on the RTA, is anybody who failed to leave the "peaceful protest" considered to be a co-conspirator and/or accessory?

While absolving the leaders, this would leave a swag of red minions facing charges.

Actually, Red riots occurred in 2010. The cut off date is one year after.

[trainman34014]

Thailand.....Hub of one step forward and nine steps back to where they've been.

[phiphidon]

The cut-off date for legal mayhem is strange, set at 10th May 2011 according to the article. As this was the day the red shirts unleashed a murderous attack on the RTA, is anybody who failed to leave the "peaceful protest" considered to be a co-conspirator and/or accessory?

While absolving the leaders, this would leave a swag of red minions facing charges.

Do you have have any more information on what happened on this day, "10th May 2011 according to the article. As this was the day the red shirts unleashed a murderous attack on the RTA"

[whybother]

The cut-off date for legal mayhem is strange, set at 10th May 2011 according to the article. As this was the day the red shirts unleashed a murderous attack on the RTA, is anybody who failed to leave the "peaceful protest" considered to be a co-conspirator and/or accessory?

While absolving the leaders, this would leave a swag of red minions facing charges.

Was May 10, 2011 when the election was called?

[OzMick]

The cut-off date for legal mayhem is strange, set at 10th May 2011 according to the article. As this was the day the red shirts unleashed a murderous attack on the RTA, is anybody who failed to leave the "peaceful protest" considered to be a co-conspirator and/or accessory?

While absolving the leaders, this would leave a swag of red minions facing charges.

Was May 10, 2011 when the election was called?

apology for date confusion (again).

Edited May 26, 2012 by OzMick

[phiphidon]

Contrast this to Abhisit who is prepared to give up immunity to answer any charges against him and Suthep. I assume he agreed to this as well which is a plus for him in my eyes as I don't really like his attitude but credit where it's due. I know it says Thaksin will get a retrial but I have little faith in that not ending in him getting away with it or going on for long enough for him to be so old he can just retire somewhere. If he is found guilty will he just run away like last time.

I was under the impression that all the evidence against Abhisit and the military was in place showing him to be guilty. If that's the case why not just get on with it?

That's because they are covered by the Emergency Decree they put in place. Quite easy to give up parliamentary immunity if you know your a*** is covered in other ways.

[phiphidon]

The cut-off date for legal mayhem is strange, set at 10th May 2011 according to the article.

this "crime" isn't protected...

Photo snipped

Yingluck Shinawatra, the younger sister of former prime minister Thaksin, will fill the Number 1 spot on Pheu Thai's Party list, a Party source confirmed yesterday (May 11, 2011).

The Nation

These crimes aren't either (depending upon emergency decree amnesty legality)

I cannot give a source this time - since this source was last posted on this forum extra wording has been added to the accompanying text which makes it unwise to link to.

1. Major General Khattiya Sawasdiphol, 58, was shot in the head, assassinated, while he was giving an interview with journalists and surrounded by Red Shirts on 13 May

2. Mr. Chatchai Chalao, 25, he died from wounds to his neck from the crackdown at Lumpini Park on 13 May

The people that died at the Lumpini Park

(it is most likely that when hospitals records the person as being ‘wounded’ it means that these are ‘bullet’ wounds)

1. Mr. Piyapong Kitiphan, 32, was shot dead

2. Mr. Prajuab Silaphan, was shot

3. Mr. Somsak Kilirakka, 28, was shot

4. Mr. Inplang Thetwong, 32, died in the crackdown

5. Mr. Saneh Nilluang, 48, died in the crackdown

6. Mr. Chaiyan Wannajak, 20, died in the crackdown

7. Mr. Boonthing Pansila, a medic from Wachira Hospital, 25, was shot in the neck

8. Mr. Phan Kamklong, 43, was shot in the left chest, died at the Moh Lheng area

9. Mr. Kitiphan Khantong, 26, wounded in the ribs, died in the hospital

10. Mr. Surakrai Srimuangpun, 34, wounded in the head, died in the hospital

11. Unknown man, was shot and died at Ratchaparop area

12. Unknown boy, 14, was shot in the stomach and arm; he died at Soi Moh Lheng

13. Mr. Channarong Ploysrila, 32, died from wounds to the head

14. Mr. Thippanet Jiamphol, 36, wounded in the head

15. Mr. Supacheep Jullathas, 36, wounded in the head

16. Mr. Warin Wongsanit, 28, wounded in the right chest

17. Mr. Mana Sanprasertsri, Po Tek Tung Emergency Assistance Foundation, 22, was shot in the head

18. Ms. Santana Sappasri, 34, was shot in the stomach and arm at Moh Lheng area

19. Mr. Thanwa Wongsiri, 26, wounded in the head

20. Mr. Amphol Chuensri, 25, died on the spot

21. Mr. Samaphan Srithep, 17, died on the spot

22. Mr. Uthai Orn-in, 35, died on the spot

23. Mr. Pornsawan Nakachai, 23, shot in many places, died in the hospital

24. Mr. Kriangkrai Leantaisong, 25, was shot in the head, died in the hospital

25. Mr. Prachuab Prachuabsuk, 42, he died at the Charoenkrung Pracharak

26. Mr. Kiettikhun Chatwirasakul, 25, was shot in the left chest, died on the spot

27. Mr. Wongsakorn Plangsri, 40, was shot in the chest, bleeding in the chest. He died in the hospital

28. Mr. Somchai Phrasuwan, 43, was shot in the head, died in the hospital

29. Mr. Suphan Thomtong, 49, died on the spot

30. Mr. Chaleaw deeruenram, 27, was shot below the right chest

31. Mr. Supot Yatima, 37, died on the spot

32. Mr. Tanakorn Piyapholdirek, 50, died on the spot

33. Sergeant Pongchalit Thippanontakarn, 31, was shot in the head

34. Mr. Sompan Luangchom, 35, was shot in the stomach

35. Mr. Muhammad Akli, 40, wounded from the chest through the back

36. Mr. Polenchi Fadio, an Italian photographer, 48, was shot in the chest

37. Mr. Thanachot Chumyen, 34, the bullet cut through his kidney and the main artery

38. Unknown woman, shot dead

39. Mr. Thawin Kammool, 38, wounded in the head

40. Unknown man, wounded in the head

41. Sergeant Anusit Chansanto, 44, died on the spot

42. Mr. Pratchaya Sae-Khoe, 21, was shot, the bullet destroyed his liver

43. Mr. Akradet Khankaew, 22, was shot, the bullet destroyed his lung and heart

44. Mr. Mongkol Khemthong, 37, was shot damaging his lung and heart

45. Ms. Kamonket Hakhard, 25, bullet in her head (she was shot with six bullets)

46. Mr. Wichai Manpare, 61, bullet cut through his lung and liver

47. Mr. Attachai Chumchan, 28, wounded from bullet that destroyed his lung

48. Unknown man, bleeding in the brain from being beaten

49. Mr. Narin Srichomphu, wounded from a bullet that destroyed his brain

50. Ms. Wasinee Theppan, died on the way to hospital

51. Mr. Yuon Phothongkam, 60, wounded in his bottom, died on 21 May

52. Mr. Kittipong Somsuk, 20, burnt in the Central World blaze, body found on 21 May

53. Mr. Songsak Srinongbua, 33, wounded in the chest

54. Mr. Ploen Wongma, 40, died in the hospital on 20 May

55. Mr. Samai Tadkaew, 36, died from many attacks

56. A Bonkai community man, 71, died on 28 July from a blood infection after getting treatment from being shot in the stomach while he walked through the zone to pick up his granddaughter

57. Couldn’t identify the person’s name

58. Couldn’t identify the person’s name

[OzMick]

Contrast this to Abhisit who is prepared to give up immunity to answer any charges against him and Suthep. I assume he agreed to this as well which is a plus for him in my eyes as I don't really like his attitude but credit where it's due. I know it says Thaksin will get a retrial but I have little faith in that not ending in him getting away with it or going on for long enough for him to be so old he can just retire somewhere. If he is found guilty will he just run away like last time.

I was under the impression that all the evidence against Abhisit and the military was in place showing him to be guilty. If that's the case why not just get on with it?

That's because they are covered by the Emergency Decree they put in place. Quite easy to give up parliamentary immunity if you know your a*** is covered in other ways.

They also have the legal advantage of being the legitimate government of the day instructing security forces to quell an armed insurrection after doing as much as possible to settle by peaceful means.

It is also quite easy to get parliamentary immunity when it is given to you as a reward for your criminal behaviour. and now they can vote for their own amnesty so their behaviour is no longer criminal. Does that fit your description of a criminal conspiracy?

Next will be a constitution change to make treason a rewardable act.

[dominique355]

Sonthi's proposal are:

"1. Any unlawful activity related to political gatherings between Set. 15 2005 to May 10, 2011 will be legalized. Both anti government protesters and government officers involved in such incidents will be pardoned.

2. Ongoing investigations of these activities will be dropped. Prosecutors will withdraw charges, and the Courts will dismiss ongoing trials. Convicts whose cases have been finalized, will be granted amnesty.

3. All individuals affected by legal proceedings initiated by the Council for National Security - the 2006 coup makes - or the agencies installed after the coup will be treated like they have never been accused and convicted.

4. Political bans of all political party executives following party dissolution verdicts will be annulled."

Sonthi sure has experience in whitewashing his own crimes, so conveniently the legalisation of his own coup will survive even if and when the present constitution would be amended in this point.

Point 3 looks tailor made for Thaksin.

Sonthi said widespread corruption, interference into independent organisations, possible violent clashes between rivalling political groups and disrespect to the monarchy as major reasons for staging the coup. So why is he now whitewashing corruption and heavily interfering into the judicial system?

This guy is a shame for anybody who has even a single grain of democracy in his body. It shows that military are inherently and totally undemocratic and should never be allowed into a parliament.

Thailand will be the joke of the world if these propositions will be realized. What a shame!

[GentlemanJim]

3. All individuals affected by legal proceedings initiated by the Council for National Security - the 2006 coup makes - or the agencies installed after the coup will be treated like they have never been accused and convicted.

Point 3 is not only tailor made for Thaksin, but the way it reads it pardons every single criminal of every single crime in Thailand between 2006 and 2011. Is one man worth so much and the integrity of the judicial system worth so little?

[OzMick]

These crimes aren't either (depending upon emergency decree amnesty legality)

I cannot give a source this time - since this source was last posted on this forum extra wording has been added to the accompanying text which makes it unwise to link to.

1. Major General Khattiya Sawasdiphol, 58, was shot in the head, assassinated, while he was giving an interview with journalists and surrounded by Red Shirts on 13 May

2. Mr. Chatchai Chalao, 25, he died from wounds to his neck from the crackdown at Lumpini Park on 13 May

The people that died at the Lumpini Park

(it is most likely that when hospitals records the person as being ‘wounded’ it means that these are ‘bullet’ wounds)

1. Mr. Piyapong Kitiphan, 32, was shot dead

2. Mr. Prajuab Silaphan, was shot

3. Mr. Somsak Kilirakka, 28, was shot

4. Mr. Inplang Thetwong, 32, died in the crackdown

5. Mr. Saneh Nilluang, 48, died in the crackdown

6. Mr. Chaiyan Wannajak, 20, died in the crackdown

7. Mr. Boonthing Pansila, a medic from Wachira Hospital, 25, was shot in the neck

8. Mr. Phan Kamklong, 43, was shot in the left chest, died at the Moh Lheng area

9. Mr. Kitiphan Khantong, 26, wounded in the ribs, died in the hospital

10. Mr. Surakrai Srimuangpun, 34, wounded in the head, died in the hospital

11. Unknown man, was shot and died at Ratchaparop area

12. Unknown boy, 14, was shot in the stomach and arm; he died at Soi Moh Lheng

13. Mr. Channarong Ploysrila, 32, died from wounds to the head

14. Mr. Thippanet Jiamphol, 36, wounded in the head

15. Mr. Supacheep Jullathas, 36, wounded in the head

16. Mr. Warin Wongsanit, 28, wounded in the right chest

17. Mr. Mana Sanprasertsri, Po Tek Tung Emergency Assistance Foundation, 22, was shot in the head

18. Ms. Santana Sappasri, 34, was shot in the stomach and arm at Moh Lheng area

19. Mr. Thanwa Wongsiri, 26, wounded in the head

20. Mr. Amphol Chuensri, 25, died on the spot

21. Mr. Samaphan Srithep, 17, died on the spot

22. Mr. Uthai Orn-in, 35, died on the spot

23. Mr. Pornsawan Nakachai, 23, shot in many places, died in the hospital

24. Mr. Kriangkrai Leantaisong, 25, was shot in the head, died in the hospital

25. Mr. Prachuab Prachuabsuk, 42, he died at the Charoenkrung Pracharak

26. Mr. Kiettikhun Chatwirasakul, 25, was shot in the left chest, died on the spot

27. Mr. Wongsakorn Plangsri, 40, was shot in the chest, bleeding in the chest. He died in the hospital

28. Mr. Somchai Phrasuwan, 43, was shot in the head, died in the hospital

29. Mr. Suphan Thomtong, 49, died on the spot

30. Mr. Chaleaw deeruenram, 27, was shot below the right chest

31. Mr. Supot Yatima, 37, died on the spot

32. Mr. Tanakorn Piyapholdirek, 50, died on the spot

33. Sergeant Pongchalit Thippanontakarn, 31, was shot in the head

34. Mr. Sompan Luangchom, 35, was shot in the stomach

35. Mr. Muhammad Akli, 40, wounded from the chest through the back

36. Mr. Polenchi Fadio, an Italian photographer, 48, was shot in the chest

37. Mr. Thanachot Chumyen, 34, the bullet cut through his kidney and the main artery

38. Unknown woman, shot dead

39. Mr. Thawin Kammool, 38, wounded in the head

40. Unknown man, wounded in the head

41. Sergeant Anusit Chansanto, 44, died on the spot

42. Mr. Pratchaya Sae-Khoe, 21, was shot, the bullet destroyed his liver

43. Mr. Akradet Khankaew, 22, was shot, the bullet destroyed his lung and heart

44. Mr. Mongkol Khemthong, 37, was shot damaging his lung and heart

45. Ms. Kamonket Hakhard, 25, bullet in her head (she was shot with six bullets)

46. Mr. Wichai Manpare, 61, bullet cut through his lung and liver

47. Mr. Attachai Chumchan, 28, wounded from bullet that destroyed his lung

48. Unknown man, bleeding in the brain from being beaten

49. Mr. Narin Srichomphu, wounded from a bullet that destroyed his brain

50. Ms. Wasinee Theppan, died on the way to hospital

51. Mr. Yuon Phothongkam, 60, wounded in his bottom, died on 21 May

52. Mr. Kittipong Somsuk, 20, burnt in the Central World blaze, body found on 21 May

53. Mr. Songsak Srinongbua, 33, wounded in the chest

54. Mr. Ploen Wongma, 40, died in the hospital on 20 May

55. Mr. Samai Tadkaew, 36, died from many attacks

56. A Bonkai community man, 71, died on 28 July from a blood infection after getting treatment from being shot in the stomach while he walked through the zone to pick up his granddaughter

57. Couldn’t identify the person’s name

58. Couldn’t identify the person’s name

Many of those deaths may not be crimes, and not need amnesty. In most cases, there has been no responsibility decided, at least by the authorities. I repeat part of a post from another thread:

"It should be asked what is the function of small groups of armed blackshirts. IMHO opinion they were there to "keep the pot boiling". It would be a simple job to shadow a group of RTA either patrolling or static, and pop off a couple of shots as a group of red shirts came close. In an urban environment with lots of hard reflecting surfaces it is difficult to tell the source of the shots, so the soldiers would engage the reds. Up to you whether you believe the RTA might even get little assistance if their accuracy was lacking."

it is interesting that you choose a list which seems to excluded members of the security forces. Under the proposed legislation, their murder will become "legitimate political expression".

[Skywalker69]

A guilty person who is wasting this much money, time, and human lives, just to clear his own tarnished name, is an arrogant and unrepentant wastrel. A guilty person who commits these actions at state-level in a poor developing-world nation that is socially and economically fragile at this time, is an uncaring despot.

He could have walked away with his stolen money & lived out his days in the type of luxury that most people can not even dream of, yet he hovers vulture-like over this nation, fermenting divisions, unbalancing people's lives, and uprooting the first green shoots of a fledgling democracy.

He wants to regain his lost face.

[phiphidon]

Contrast this to Abhisit who is prepared to give up immunity to answer any charges against him and Suthep. I assume he agreed to this as well which is a plus for him in my eyes as I don't really like his attitude but credit where it's due. I know it says Thaksin will get a retrial but I have little faith in that not ending in him getting away with it or going on for long enough for him to be so old he can just retire somewhere. If he is found guilty will he just run away like last time.

I was under the impression that all the evidence against Abhisit and the military was in place showing him to be guilty. If that's the case why not just get on with it?

That's because they are covered by the Emergency Decree they put in place. Quite easy to give up parliamentary immunity if you know your a*** is covered in other ways.

They also have the legal advantage of being the legitimate government of the day instructing security forces to quell an armed insurrection after doing as much as possible to settle by peaceful means.

It is also quite easy to get parliamentary immunity when it is given to you as a reward for your criminal behaviour. and now they can vote for their own amnesty so their behaviour is no longer criminal. Does that fit your description of a criminal conspiracy?

Next will be a constitution change to make treason a rewardable act.

Sounds like a good description of the coup, you're right. Your last sentence is just a silly riposte.

[hellodolly]

Seems to me like they are setting a precedent. Rob steal murder and then pass a law to make it all OK