Sonthi Lobs Explosive Bill Into House

[webfact]

BURNING ISSUE

Sonthi lobs explosive bill into House

Avudh Panananda

The Nation

Gen Sonthi

BANGKOK: -- Today and tomorrow we will hear the war drum beaten through the political landscape, although the masses don't appear to be in the mood for rallying.

Two potentially explosive issues - a change in the lese majeste law and amnesty for fugitive former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra - happen to be in the public spotlight at the same time.

This clash of political colours is expected to be settled by the Constitution Court and Parliament, in order to avoid a repeat of the violence that saw blood spilled in 2008 and 2010.

Of the two issues, the amnesty for Thaksin is likely to have a tangible impact - it could either end or widen the political divide. Proponents and opponents are gearing for a fiery debate.

The pro-Thaksin camp is determined to pave the way for him to return, while the anti-Thaksin camp is equally firm in trying to block any amnesty.

Tomorrow, the People's Alliance for Democracy is scheduled to stage a symbolic march from Royal Plaza to Parliament, before lodging a demand for the reconciliation bill to be dropped from the House agenda.

Despite the government's pledge not to rush the amnesty debate, the House has suspiciously designated the bill for deliberation on Thursday. Coalition and opposition lawmakers are expected to decide whether to assign the bill as a priority item on the agenda.

If the House gives a green light to put the bill on the fast track, the amnesty debate will commence. Alternately, lawmakers can opt for a cooling-off period by choosing between two options - defeat the motion that it be given priority designation or refer the bill for vetting by the government.

The bill, sponsored by Matubhum Party leader Sonthi Boonyaratglin, is billed as a reconciliation draft although its provisions are essentially designed to grant amnesty for all involved in political disturbances from 2005 up till 2010. Thaksin would be a main beneficiary.

Last month the House debated the Sonthi report on reconciliation before referring the matter to the government for further scrutiny. Many understood that the government would sponsor the amnesty draft at a later date. So the Sonthi-sponsored bill has come as a surprise.

Unlike 2008 when the yellow shirts descended into the streets to protest a charter change because of suspicion of a move to absolve Thaksin of his conviction and punishment, this time round the PAD is not rushing to encamp on the streets.

But a number of draft provisions for amnesty in the bill seem to have so many loose ends that conflicting legal interpretations may have to be thrashed out by the Constitution Court. One of the contentious provisions is the constitutionality of repealing judicial verdicts involving Thaksin, rioters and 109 barred party executives.

The court battle will take time, hence there is no justification to protest in the streets at this juncture.

Given the complexity of legal issues involved, it remains unclear whether the government will simultaneously push for amnesty and a new charter.

As the charter rewrite has already been put on track, the government may wait to complete the new charter before tackling the amnesty issue. There is no reason for the government to risk inflaming political volatility.

On the other issue of amending provisions related to insults to the monarchy, the move is being spearheaded by the Campaign Committee for the Amendment of Article 112, which is seen as close to the red shirts.

The 112 Campaign is a push to raise awareness about enforcement of the lese majeste law rather than a legislative move to have the law changed. Under the Constitution, the people are not sanctioned to sponsor a law on the monarchy.

-- The Nation 2012-05-29

[Moruya]

It might prove to be a mistake to lob these in together. The logic might be to throw the reds a bone along with Thaksin's gift but the reds could still protest big time alongside the yellows and Tul's team

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Thaivisa Connect App

[birdpooguava]

Democratically elected government intends to have cases heard by an independent court: NOT ACCEPTABLE

Decision taken by a court, set up by an illegal coup: ACCEPTABLE

[OzMick]

Democratically elected government intends to have cases heard by an independent court: NOT ACCEPTABLE

Decision taken by a court, set up by an illegal coup: ACCEPTABLE

Anybody with a brain larger than a sparrow would understand that this government has NO intention of letting any cases involving the Shinawatra family or the red leaders get anywhere near a court, if they can help it. As a PTP MP said the other day "we can't control the courts." And they have rejected Thaksin's bribes, which makes the results very unpredictable.

[birdpooguava]

Democratically elected government intends to have cases heard by an independent court: NOT ACCEPTABLE

Decision taken by a court, set up by an illegal coup: ACCEPTABLE

Anybody with a brain larger than a sparrow would understand that this government has NO intention of letting any cases involving the Shinawatra family or the red leaders get anywhere near a court, if they can help it. As a PTP MP said the other day "we can't control the courts." And they have rejected Thaksin's bribes, which makes the results very unpredictable.

That's not what the reconcilliation bill clearly states Oz.

[Yunla]

Of the two issues, the amnesty for Thaksin is likely to have a tangible impact - it could either end or widen the political divide

It can not end divisions, only exacerbate the divisions already existing. The notion of any kind of closure through this bill is an offense to any logical being. Words like 'reconciliation' and 'rehabilitation' have been saturating the Yingluck speech-writers for months, these are both incorrect words for this political process. These two words are also used in psychotherapy for processes of healing trauma wounds, which ultimately rests on the patient being given sanctuary and distance from the abuser & a sense of closure regarding the crimes committed. Without closure there can be no healing, and closure is not possible without the abuser facing legal justice & appropriate punishment. Justice is the first step of recovery for the victims in all cases, and without it there can be no reconciling or rehabilitating the people involved.

In reality this is just an act of narcissistic totalitarianism, leaders devising laws that make them immune to the law & absolve them of their former grand-scale crimes. A controlling father treating the electorate as infants, dangling bright shiny toys into the carrycot & shushing the baby with don't worry father knows best, he's making these laws for you. Look at shiny toy. Wooo.

Edited May 29, 2012 by Yunla

[pakorn7]

Watch out the other Sondhi is on Sonthi back.

Reminds me of the cartoon "Spy vs Spy" from Mad magazine.

"Sonthi vs Sondhi" trying to out witts the other.

[Thai at Heart]

Still haven't the foggiest why on earth Sonthi is doing this.

[Moruya]

Democratically elected government intends to have cases heard by an independent court: NOT ACCEPTABLE

Decision taken by a court, set up by an illegal coup: ACCEPTABLE

If you seriously think this "reconcilliation bill" is about reconcilliatioon and democracy then there's something very wrong with you.

[pakorn7]

Still haven't the foggiest why on earth Sonthi is doing this.

Else he could be arrested for running a coup.

Mutiny is punished by death.

[Thaddeus]

Is this called an explosive bill because there is a faint ticking noise in the background.

[geriatrickid]

Democratically elected government intends to have cases heard by an independent court: NOT ACCEPTABLE

Decision taken by a court, set up by an illegal coup: ACCEPTABLE

Anybody with a brain larger than a sparrow would understand that this government has NO intention of letting any cases involving the Shinawatra family or the red leaders get anywhere near a court, if they can help it. As a PTP MP said the other day "we can't control the courts." And they have rejected Thaksin's bribes, which makes the results very unpredictable.

Pleease explain why Khun Prompam was subject to a court ruling on May 18, if your statement about the government not allowing "red leaders get anywhere near a court".

[Buchholz]

Still haven't the foggiest why on earth Sonthi is doing this.

make that "yesterday's" paper

so the general who led the coup sponsors the bill, why? Was he promised a position when he who was ousted by the coup returns? Was he promised a financial boon in return for paving the way for the ousted one to return?

Yes, he's been given oversight of the Defense Ministry budget.

There's a number of inconsistencies with Sonthi. For one, he's the only MP of his Party in Parliament (he's literally a one man Party) and yet he's been put in charge of the reconciliation committee and supervisor of the defense budget.

The other paper today has a good article on the situation.

[Buchholz]

the why, part II

Still haven't the foggiest why on earth Sonthi is doing this.

Else he could be arrested for running a coup.

Mutiny is punished by death.

As is Thaksin's already-existing treason charge.

.

Edited May 29, 2012 by Buchholz

[zakk9]

... and the farse goes on... an on and on and on...

[OzMick]

Democratically elected government intends to have cases heard by an independent court: NOT ACCEPTABLE

Decision taken by a court, set up by an illegal coup: ACCEPTABLE

Anybody with a brain larger than a sparrow would understand that this government has NO intention of letting any cases involving the Shinawatra family or the red leaders get anywhere near a court, if they can help it. As a PTP MP said the other day "we can't control the courts." And they have rejected Thaksin's bribes, which makes the results very unpredictable.

Pleease explain why Khun Prompam was subject to a court ruling on May 18, if your statement about the government not allowing "red leaders get anywhere near a court".

D'oh! Cut the quote short because it answers your question. I repeat " the red leaders get anywhere near a court, if they can help it."

Is this phrase not used where you come from?

[phiphidon]

the why, part II

Still haven't the foggiest why on earth Sonthi is doing this.

Else he could be arrested for running a coup.

Mutiny is punished by death.

As is Thaksin's already-existing treason charge.

.

Treason charge? I've lost count, which one is this?

[Thai at Heart]

Still haven't the foggiest why on earth Sonthi is doing this.

make that "yesterday's" paper

so the general who led the coup sponsors the bill, why? Was he promised a position when he who was ousted by the coup returns? Was he promised a financial boon in return for paving the way for the ousted one to return?

Yes, he's been given oversight of the Defense Ministry budget.

There's a number of inconsistencies with Sonthi. For one, he's the only MP of his Party in Parliament (he's literally a one man Party) and yet he's been put in charge of the reconciliation committee and supervisor of the defense budget.

The other paper today has a good article on the situation.

But does he really need to be given a paper title such as overseer of the army budget? What does he get out of any of this, other than forcing everyone to walk around scratching their heads? It isn't as though he couldn't have been given plenty of paper titles sitting on boards of companies in his old age that would have seen him more than taken care of for services rendered in the coup.

I understand that by leaving the army he has opened himself up to some sort of possible prosecution, but to say that his conduct is odd, is an understatement

[Buchholz]

Thaksin would be a main beneficiary.

Thaksin's son praises Sonthi for 'unlocking nation'

Panthongtae Shinawatra, the son of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, Tuesday praised former coup leader Gen Sonthi Boonyaratglin for proposing a reconciliation bill.

Posting a message on his Facebook page, Panthongtae said he believed Sonthi's reconciliation bill would unlock the country out of the political impasse so that it could move on.

Panthongtae said Sonthi, who toppled his father's government in 2006, deserved the credit for the efforts to help the country move forward.

-- The Nation 2012-05-29

[h90]

Democratically elected government intends to have cases heard by an independent court: NOT ACCEPTABLE

Decision taken by a court, set up by an illegal coup: ACCEPTABLE

The military did not set up any courts....same courts same laws as before the coup.

And the coup wasn't illegal....only unsuccessful coups are illegal.....else the US government and all the European governments would be big in troubles.....

[h90]

the why, part II

Still haven't the foggiest why on earth Sonthi is doing this.

Else he could be arrested for running a coup.

Mutiny is punished by death.

As is Thaksin's already-existing treason charge.

.

Treason charge? I've lost count, which one is this?

charge Number 763

[backtonormal]

Still haven't the foggiest why on earth Sonthi is doing this.

Depending on what you mean..If you listen to some on here G Prem was handing out veiled threats about the current cabinet being good people and taking Yingluck in for a cuppa. Lets look at it the other way. GP like Sonthi have beem caught bang to rights with regard to an irrefutable cable in which they commit LM, the very weapon they use to keep the status quo. It would be so easy for any Thai national to go into a police station and make a complaint with regard to LM. Instead certain parties have agreed a compromise whereby they only say nice things about PTT...or else. Its like silly 4rse Mark saying he waves his immunity, codswallop he done a deal and he knows he wont be in court anytime soon in a trade off for Thaksins return. Will Mark wave his immunity when an international court comes calling..

[backtonormal]

Thaksin would be a main beneficiary.

Thaksin's son praises Sonthi for 'unlocking nation'

Panthongtae Shinawatra, the son of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, Tuesday praised former coup leader Gen Sonthi Boonyaratglin for proposing a reconciliation bill.

Posting a message on his Facebook page, Panthongtae said he believed Sonthi's reconciliation bill would unlock the country out of the political impasse so that it could move on.

Panthongtae said Sonthi, who toppled his father's government in 2006, deserved the credit for the efforts to help the country move forward.

-- The Nation 2012-05-29

What a PR coup. Getting the leader of the coup and the bloodshed that followed to now be the spearhead to right the wrongs he committed. Thaksins brilliant

[backtonormal]

the why, part II

Still haven't the foggiest why on earth Sonthi is doing this.

Else he could be arrested for running a coup.

Mutiny is punished by death.

As is Thaksin's already-existing treason charge.

.

Why worry about the fugitive thaksin when your mate Sondthi has been sentenced to 20 years and hes walking around scott free. Sondthi should be tried for treason for taking over the airport

[backtonormal]

Democratically elected government intends to have cases heard by an independent court: NOT ACCEPTABLE

Decision taken by a court, set up by an illegal coup: ACCEPTABLE

The military did not set up any courts....same courts same laws as before the coup.

And the coup wasn't illegal....only unsuccessful coups are illegal.....else the US government and all the European governments would be big in troubles.....

In what body to the senior most judges and army brass end up. Work it out

[Siripon]

Still haven't the foggiest why on earth Sonthi is doing this.

Depending on what you mean..If you listen to some on here G Prem was handing out veiled threats about the current cabinet being good people and taking Yingluck in for a cuppa. Lets look at it the other way. GP like Sonthi have beem caught bang to rights with regard to an irrefutable cable in which they commit LM, the very weapon they use to keep the status quo. It would be so easy for any Thai national to go into a police station and make a complaint with regard to LM. Instead certain parties have agreed a compromise whereby they only say nice things about PTT...or else. Its like silly 4rse Mark saying he waves his immunity, codswallop he done a deal and he knows he wont be in court anytime soon in a trade off for Thaksins return. Will Mark wave his immunity when an international court comes calling..

It's a difficult one for Thaksin's supporters when both Apisit and Suthep have expressed their willingness to face any judicial process.

[Payboy]

Sonthi no longer the darling of the yellow brigade - I'm absolutely appalled.

[Buchholz]

Thaksin would be a main beneficiary.

Thaksin's son praises Sonthi for 'unlocking nation'

Panthongtae Shinawatra, the son of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, Tuesday praised former coup leader Gen Sonthi Boonyaratglin for proposing a reconciliation bill.

Posting a message on his Facebook page, Panthongtae said he believed Sonthi's reconciliation bill would unlock the country out of the political impasse so that it could move on.

Panthongtae said Sonthi, who toppled his father's government in 2006, deserved the credit for the efforts to help the country move forward.

Expanded on here:

Khaosod Newspaper - May 29, 2012

Article (in Thai):

http://www.khaosod.c...E9PQ==&catid=01

.

Edited May 29, 2012 by Buchholz

[Siripon]

Sonthi no longer the darling of the yellow brigade - I'm absolutely appalled.

It's the other Sonthi who is considered the darling of the PAD. The coup leader Sonthi was considered to be not too bright by most yellows when he immediately handed over power to Surayut after the coup.

[phiphidon]

the why, part II

As is Thaksin's already-existing treason charge.

.

Treason charge? I've lost count, which one is this?

charge Number 763

I was hoping for a link to more information...........