Suthep Thaugsubhan Labels Thai Amnesty Law As Time Bomb

[webfact]

Leading opposition MP labels Thai amnesty law as time bomb
By Digital Media



BANGKOK, Apr 15 – The Thai government’s move to issue an amnesty law may lead to political unrest in the country, a former deputy prime minister warned today.

Opposition Democrat MP from Surat Thani Suthep Thaugsubhan said the present government will not survive its four-year term unless Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra proves to the Thai people her administration’s sincerity in working for the national interest without corruption and with strong determination to prevent any moves against the monarchy.

If the government continues with enacting the law on amnesty, an internal upheaval will be inevitable, he said.

The ruling Pheu Thai party will meet Wednesday to discuss a proposal to submit the amnesty bill to the House of Representatives.

Some party MPs claimed that Ms Yingluck and her brother, ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, have given their blessings to the move.

They wanted the proposed bill to be deliberated in the Lower House before April 20 when the currently parliamentary session goes into recess.

The bill seeks to grant amnesty to activists and protesters charged with breaching various laws in a series of political conflicts after the 2006 coup in Thailand. Most of the violators are members of the pro-government Red Shirt group. (MCOT online news)


-- TNA 2013-04-15

[Chrisswe]

Yes as a former CREST Director , he have experience how to bomb and killing !!

[Publicus]

Well that's two people who absolutely will not accept serving prison time, Thaksin and Suthep - to say nothing of Abhisit.

So something is gonna have to give.

The United States supports the legitimately elected government of Thailand, which is a clear message that another coup would be a self-inflicted catastrophe to Thailand. No Western democracy, to include Australia, will again turn a blind eye to a coup - not for any reason, rationale, justification.

And the current elected government has to start acting like the government the voters of Thailand chose to lead it to peace and prosperity.

[Thai at Heart]

Opposition Democrat MP from Surat Thani Suthep Thaugsubhan said the present government will not survive its four-year term unless Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra proves to the Thai people her administrations sincerity in working for the national interest without corruption and with strong determination to prevent any moves against the monarchy.

I guess that is code for a coup. Great. Just what is needed.....

[Valentine]

Well that's two people who absolutely will not accept serving prison time, Thaksin and Suthep - to say nothing of Abhisit.

So something is gonna have to give.

The United States supports the legitimately elected government of Thailand, which is a clear message that another coup would be a self-inflicted catastrophe to Thailand. No Western democracy, to include Australia, will again turn a blind eye to a coup - not for any reason, rationale, justification.

And the current elected government has to start acting like the government the voters of Thailand chose to lead it to peace and prosperity.

Both Abhisit & Suthep have stated they will fight their cases in court & accept the judicial outcome. In the past business has still gone as usual after a coup so that is not likely to change. Coups have never stopped the US navy from having shore leave here & the annual Cobra Gold military exercises continue. Thailand will never be isolated unless it becomes truly despotic & at present it certainly looks like one family wants complete & utter control. A benevolent dictatorship could work like it did in Singapore but I don't think it will catch on here. Too many snouts to keep happy.

[AleG]

Opposition Democrat MP from Surat Thani Suthep Thaugsubhan said the present government will not survive its four-year term unless Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra proves to the Thai people her administrations sincerity in working for the national interest without corruption and with strong determination to prevent any moves against the monarchy.

I guess that is code for a coup. Great. Just what is needed.....

Wouldn't be surprised if he meant that, he's a contemptible person.

On the other hand a general amnesty would signal that all's fair in war, anything, from murder down can be wiped off the record when your buddies are at the helm. There will be no deterrent to repeat the turmoil of the last 5 years.

[scorecard]

Well that's two people who absolutely will not accept serving prison time, Thaksin and Suthep - to say nothing of Abhisit.

So something is gonna have to give.

The United States supports the legitimately elected government of Thailand, which is a clear message that another coup would be a self-inflicted catastrophe to Thailand. No Western democracy, to include Australia, will again turn a blind eye to a coup - not for any reason, rationale, justification.

And the current elected government has to start acting like the government the voters of Thailand chose to lead it to peace and prosperity.

Quote.... The United States supports the legitimately elected government of Thailand, which is a clear message that another coup would be a self-inflicted catastrophe to Thailand. No Western democracy, to include Australia, will again turn a blind eye to a coup - not for any reason, rationale, justification.....

That's your opinion and nothing more, I disagree.

Examples:

- 'Legitimately elected' - Is that your Songkran joke?

- Are you suggesting that if there was another coup, then all Western democracies including Australia would intervene or ostracize Thailand in some way?

- Please explain how "The United States supports the legitimately elected government of Thailand" is specifically / directly a ... "clear message that another coup would be a self-inflicted catastrophe to Thailand. No Western democracy, to include Australia, will again turn a blind eye to a coup - not for any reason, rationale, justification "

Please share.

[virtualtraveller]

He will get his amnesty in the end, one way or the other, and doesn't give a damn if the govt does survive. My guess, keep banging away with multiple attempts to get an amnesty bill through, by the time it's all signed and sealed Yingluck will be into her third year, when the protestors hit the streets she will dissolve the house, call and election and win again. The protestors will end up going home, there will be no govt to take out their anger on. Personally, I think the 'invisible' hand is probably going along with an amnesty in order to get Thaksin home. That way it will be easier to set their telescopic sights on him. (that's code for....)

[Robby nz]

Yes as a former CREST Director , he have experience how to bomb and killing !!

Yes indeed he would certainly have experience in combating those who would bomb, kill and set fires in trying to destroy the country for the selfish ends of a convicted crim on the run.

I doubt a coup was what he had in mind rather the probable trouble that would eventuate if all the reds were pardoned, given amnesty or whatever you want to call it.

After all it is only the reds and in particular their leaders who want to get away with their crimes, the yellow shirt leaders, if I understand correctly, have said they don't want amnesty but are willing to stand up and be counted for their actions.

[Publicus]

Well that's two people who absolutely will not accept serving prison time, Thaksin and Suthep - to say nothing of Abhisit.

So something is gonna have to give.

The United States supports the legitimately elected government of Thailand, which is a clear message that another coup would be a self-inflicted catastrophe to Thailand. No Western democracy, to include Australia, will again turn a blind eye to a coup - not for any reason, rationale, justification.

And the current elected government has to start acting like the government the voters of Thailand chose to lead it to peace and prosperity.

Both Abhisit & Suthep have stated they will fight their cases in court & accept the judicial outcome. In the past business has still gone as usual after a coup so that is not likely to change. Coups have never stopped the US navy from having shore leave here & the annual Cobra Gold military exercises continue. Thailand will never be isolated unless it becomes truly despotic & at present it certainly looks like one family wants complete & utter control. A benevolent dictatorship could work like it did in Singapore but I don't think it will catch on here. Too many snouts to keep happy.

The Shinawatras are not the Lee Kwan You family, I would agree. And it's good to see Singapore is starting to outgrow that system and arrangement.

Thailand's future equally belongs to the masses Pheu Thai respresents. The U.S. and Thailand are formal treaty allies so that relationship will continue as long as Thailand doesn't become the next Burma/Myanmar as until recently.

The so-called "benevolent" dictatorship is not the model of government we're working toward in the world. If I were you I should think I wouldn't want to be asked to provide examples beyond Singapore.

Thailand has long since lost its unity, its focus, its clear direction forward. A dictatorship however is the worst possible reaction. Then again, realistically speaking, Thaksin and his Thai Rak Thai gang were the response to the Thai financial collapse in 1997. Instead of correcting themselves, Thais chose the ingrown leader, Thaksin. Another typically wrongheaded Thai response.

[waza]

Amnesty or the rule of Law, anarchy or democracy, you cant have it both way. The truth is Thaksin want to remove the rule of law through a judicial coup and use anarchy to destroy any semblance of democracy to pave the way for his dictatorship.

[bigbamboo]

Well that's two people who absolutely will not accept serving prison time, Thaksin and Suthep - to say nothing of Abhisit.

So something is gonna have to give.

The United States supports the legitimately elected government of Thailand, which is a clear message that another coup would be a self-inflicted catastrophe to Thailand. No Western democracy, to include Australia, will again turn a blind eye to a coup - not for any reason, rationale, justification.

And the current elected government has to start acting like the government the voters of Thailand chose to lead it to peace and

prosperity.

Both Abhisit & Suthep have stated they will fight their cases in court & accept the judicial outcome. In the past business has still gone as usual after a coup so that is not likely to change. Coups have never stopped the US navy from having shore leave here & the annual Cobra Gold military exercises continue. Thailand will never be isolated unless it becomes truly despotic & at present it certainly looks like one family wants complete & utter control.

A benevolent dictatorship could work like it did in Singapore but I don't think it will catch on here. Too many snouts to keep happy.

Have you seen the size of the trough?

[Chrisswe]

And he will stay in the front and order killing again !!!

[ballpoint]

And he will stay in the front and order killing again !!!

You're confusing him with Thaksin, who stays in the back and orders killings.

[whybother]

Yes as a former CREST Director , he have experience how to bomb and killing !!

Besides it being "CRES", when did they have anything to do with bombing, except for dealing the bombings by red shirts of course.

[whybother]

And he will stay in the front and order killing again !!!

"order killing again" - When did he order killing the first time?

[dcutman]

And he will stay in the front and order killing again !!!

"order killing again" - When did he order killing the first time?

Witch 2500 or so do you want to know about? The facts are readily available on the net in most languages.

[whybother]

And he will stay in the front and order killing again !!!

"order killing again" - When did he order killing the first time?

Witch 2500 or so do you want to know about? The facts are readily available on the net in most languages.

The "he" that Chris is referring to is Suthep, not Thaksin.

[Tatsujin]

I would hazard a guess that "if" the amnesty bill is forced through, then before the 4 years are up, there will be another coup.

[MikeOboe57]

And he will stay in the front and order killing again !!!

You're confusing him with Thaksin, who stays in the back and orders killings.

Actually, during the final stage of the Red Riot in Bangkok Khun Thaksin was so distressed that he had to put his mind at easy with a lavish shopping spree in the most expensive shops on the Champs Elysées in Paris. I wouldn't call it "the back".

[Publicus]

s

Well that's two people who absolutely will not accept serving prison time, Thaksin and Suthep - to say nothing of Abhisit.

So something is gonna have to give.

The United States supports the legitimately elected government of Thailand, which is a clear message that another coup would be a self-inflicted catastrophe to Thailand. No Western democracy, to include Australia, will again turn a blind eye to a coup - not for any reason, rationale, justification.

And the current elected government has to start acting like the government the voters of Thailand chose to lead it to peace and prosperity.

Quote.... The United States supports the legitimately elected government of Thailand, which is a clear message that another coup would be a self-inflicted catastrophe to Thailand. No Western democracy, to include Australia, will again turn a blind eye to a coup - not for any reason, rationale, justification.....

That's your opinion and nothing more, I disagree.

Examples:

- 'Legitimately elected' - Is that your Songkran joke?

- Are you suggesting that if there was another coup, then all Western democracies including Australia would intervene or ostracize Thailand in some way?

- Please explain how "The United States supports the legitimately elected government of Thailand" is specifically / directly a ... "clear message that another coup would be a self-inflicted catastrophe to Thailand. No Western democracy, to include Australia, will again turn a blind eye to a coup - not for any reason, rationale, justification "

Please share.

______________________________________________________________My response to the post immediately above is as follows:

Sharing is good.

Thailand is a sovereign state that has its own style of a democratic election. Yes, elections in Thailand are always a joke, Songkran or at any time.

Singapore was mentioned above, to which I would add is a family autocracy that runs and rigs elections in their own ways .India is a democracy with a million political parties that runs its elections in phases, groups of states regionally with little complaint.

In Taiwan and Pakistan the loser never accepts being the loser - similar to the Republican party in the U.S. - and raises holy hell for as long as they are out of office .Pheu Thai is similar to the U.S. Republicans - out of office they never stop shouting; in office they have to pried out regardless of the outcome of the vote.

Given the imperfections inherent to democracy, Pheu Thai is the legitimately elected government of the sovereign state of Thailand no matter how much we might shake our heads or laff. Prez Obama decided that long before he visited Thailand and reiterated it while he was here.

Another coup would mark Thailand as a potential Burma, yes - the Burma of course that was until very recently. Obama went there too after their own peculiar brand of elections .At least Myanmar has the Nobel Peace Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi in parliament and the talk she has eyes for the office of president.

Certainly Thailand's image and standing in the world of nations would take a serious hit if there were another coup. How would tourists, for example, feel about coming to a country that is run by generals who shoot their own citizens? If your corporate employer assigns you to work and live in Thailand, then you'd not have much choice. However, how many English teachers would come to teach in a military society run by guys in brass hats who know only about shooting their own citizenry? I still laugh when I think of how Thailand has more generals than all 26 Nato countries combined.

Actually I think that, as indignant and self-righteous as the Europeans can often be, they might be more vocal than other governments elsewhere. European self-appointed supremacy has taken quite a hit lately, but I doubt that would stop them making superior sounding noises about Thai generals in charge here.

Edited April 15, 2013 by Publicus

[thhMan]

The quicker Thaksin gets back into Thailand the better this country will be....

I for one believe that Thaksin can bring Thailand up to present day attitudes globally and bring reform to Thailand.

-sic-

[rfukata]

another comic character and nothing else.

[ianf]

Amnesty or the rule of Law, anarchy or democracy, you cant have it both way. The truth is Thaksin want to remove the rule of law through a judicial coup and use anarchy to destroy any semblance of democracy to pave the way for his dictatorship.

Here's someone who understands Thai politics and the nature of Thaksin's cunning. Great post Waza!

[ianf]

The quicker Thaksin gets back into Thailand the better this country will be....

I for one believe that Thaksin can bring Thailand up to present day attitudes globally and bring reform to Thailand.

-sic-

...and here's someone who loves the idea of autocracy, human rights violations, dictatorships and a strong hand to keep the poor in line.

[Pi Sek]

Suthep may be right - passing a general amnesty will cause political unrest. That, and of course his denial that he did anything wrong, is why both he and Abhisit do not want a general amnesty. They wanted to be charged - they were charged and have not been convicted, even with the DSI's careful efforts to paint them as murderers since DSI director Tharit's employers changed from Abhisit to Thaksin.

However, if there is to be an amnesty, it should be for those that have been incarcerated for violating an emergency decree, not for those that allegedly made criminal infractions such as arson, murder, treason, funding an insurgency and incitement to riot. So it would exclude quite a few of the UDD leadership, Abhisit and Thaksin.

Charge them all, let's see where the facts take us (if they're allowed to get out, as has not been the case with the 10 April 2010 killings, we heard only last week).

[scorecard]

s

Well that's two people who absolutely will not accept serving prison time, Thaksin and Suthep - to say nothing of Abhisit.

So something is gonna have to give.

The United States supports the legitimately elected government of Thailand, which is a clear message that another coup would be a self-inflicted catastrophe to Thailand. No Western democracy, to include Australia, will again turn a blind eye to a coup - not for any reason, rationale, justification.

And the current elected government has to start acting like the government the voters of Thailand chose to lead it to peace and prosperity.

Quote.... The United States supports the legitimately elected government of Thailand, which is a clear message that another coup would be a self-inflicted catastrophe to Thailand. No Western democracy, to include Australia, will again turn a blind eye to a coup - not for any reason, rationale, justification.....

That's your opinion and nothing more, I disagree.

Examples:

- 'Legitimately elected' - Is that your Songkran joke?

- Are you suggesting that if there was another coup, then all Western democracies including Australia would intervene or ostracize Thailand in some way?

- Please explain how "The United States supports the legitimately elected government of Thailand" is specifically / directly a ... "clear message that another coup would be a self-inflicted catastrophe to Thailand. No Western democracy, to include Australia, will again turn a blind eye to a coup - not for any reason, rationale, justification "

Please share.

______________________________________________________________My response to the post immediately above is as follows:

Sharing is good.

Thailand is a sovereign state that has its own style of a democratic election. Yes, elections in Thailand are always a joke, Songkran or at any time.

Singapore was mentioned above, to which I would add is a family autocracy that runs and rigs elections in their own ways .India is a democracy with a million political parties that runs its elections in phases, groups of states regionally with little complaint.

In Taiwan and Pakistan the loser never accepts being the loser - similar to the Republican party in the U.S. - and raises holy hell for as long as they are out of office .Pheu Thai is similar to the U.S. Republicans - out of office they never stop shouting; in office they have to pried out regardless of the outcome of the vote.

Given the imperfections inherent to democracy, Pheu Thai is the legitimately elected government of the sovereign state of Thailand no matter how much we might shake our heads or laff. Prez Obama decided that long before he visited Thailand and reiterated it while he was here.

Another coup would mark Thailand as a potential Burma, yes - the Burma of course that was until very recently. Obama went there too after their own peculiar brand of elections .At least Myanmar has the Nobel Peace Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi in parliament and the talk she has eyes for the office of president.

Certainly Thailand's image and standing in the world of nations would take a serious hit if there were another coup. How would tourists, for example, feel about coming to a country that is run by generals who shoot their own citizens? If your corporate employer assigns you to work and live in Thailand, then you'd not have much choice. However, how many English teachers would come to teach in a military society run by guys in brass hats who know only about shooting their own citizenry? I still laugh when I think of how Thailand has more generals than all 26 Nato countries combined.

Actually I think that, as indignant and self-righteous as the Europeans can often be, they might be more vocal than other governments elsewhere. European self-appointed supremacy has taken quite a hit lately, but I doubt that would stop them making superior sounding noises about Thai generals in charge here.

Quote: ........Given the imperfections inherent to democracy, Pheu Thai is the legitimately elected government of the sovereign state of Thailand....

You can say it a million times, it doesn't change the fact the Thai populace were / are grossly manipulated by over the top populist giveaways (rice scheme scam as just one example) which risk Thailand being financially bankrupt, and lots more.

You simply cannot, if you have any values and morals, use the term 'legitimately elected'.

The paymaster and his mob preached about 'democracy and equal justice, etc', in reality they continue to step by planned step to deliberately destroy both.

[Thai at Heart]

Suthep may be right - passing a general amnesty will cause political unrest. That, and of course his denial that he did anything wrong, is why both he and Abhisit do not want a general amnesty. They wanted to be charged - they were charged and have not been convicted, even with the DSI's careful efforts to paint them as murderers since DSI director Tharit's employers changed from Abhisit to Thaksin.

However, if there is to be an amnesty, it should be for those that have been incarcerated for violating an emergency decree, not for those that allegedly made criminal infractions such as arson, murder, treason, funding an insurgency and incitement to riot. So it would exclude quite a few of the UDD leadership, Abhisit and Thaksin.

Charge them all, let's see where the facts take us (if they're allowed to get out, as has not been the case with the 10 April 2010 killings, we heard only last week).

If a coup can be legal, an amnesty if passed through the right channels, can also presumably be legal.

So, if the yellows come out, presumably it would be legal to eventually send in the army. Problem is, we know that the army will never act against the yellows.

So Thailand slips further into the mire. If governments win elections, I really don't see how anyone can say they can't amend laws. That's the system. If anything, they missed a huge trick by not insisting that modifications to the constitution don't need a super majority, 75%, or something similar.

[Pi Sek]

s

Well that's two people who absolutely will not accept serving prison time, Thaksin and Suthep - to say nothing of Abhisit.

So something is gonna have to give.

The United States supports the legitimately elected government of Thailand, which is a clear message that another coup would be a self-inflicted catastrophe to Thailand. No Western democracy, to include Australia, will again turn a blind eye to a coup - not for any reason, rationale, justification.

And the current elected government has to start acting like the government the voters of Thailand chose to lead it to peace and prosperity.

Quote.... The United States supports the legitimately elected government of Thailand, which is a clear message that another coup would be a self-inflicted catastrophe to Thailand. No Western democracy, to include Australia, will again turn a blind eye to a coup - not for any reason, rationale, justification.....

That's your opinion and nothing more, I disagree.

Examples:

- 'Legitimately elected' - Is that your Songkran joke?

- Are you suggesting that if there was another coup, then all Western democracies including Australia would intervene or ostracize Thailand in some way?

- Please explain how "The United States supports the legitimately elected government of Thailand" is specifically / directly a ... "clear message that another coup would be a self-inflicted catastrophe to Thailand. No Western democracy, to include Australia, will again turn a blind eye to a coup - not for any reason, rationale, justification "

Please share.

______________________________________________________________My response to the post immediately above is as follows:

Sharing is good.

Thailand is a sovereign state that has its own style of a democratic election. Yes, elections in Thailand are always a joke, Songkran or at any time.

Singapore was mentioned above, to which I would add is a family autocracy that runs and rigs elections in their own ways .India is a democracy with a million political parties that runs its elections in phases, groups of states regionally with little complaint.

In Taiwan and Pakistan the loser never accepts being the loser - similar to the Republican party in the U.S. - and raises holy hell for as long as they are out of office .Pheu Thai is similar to the U.S. Republicans - out of office they never stop shouting; in office they have to pried out regardless of the outcome of the vote.

Given the imperfections inherent to democracy, Pheu Thai is the legitimately elected government of the sovereign state of Thailand no matter how much we might shake our heads or laff. Prez Obama decided that long before he visited Thailand and reiterated it while he was here.

Another coup would mark Thailand as a potential Burma, yes - the Burma of course that was until very recently. Obama went there too after their own peculiar brand of elections .At least Myanmar has the Nobel Peace Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi in parliament and the talk she has eyes for the office of president.

Certainly Thailand's image and standing in the world of nations would take a serious hit if there were another coup. How would tourists, for example, feel about coming to a country that is run by generals who shoot their own citizens? If your corporate employer assigns you to work and live in Thailand, then you'd not have much choice. However, how many English teachers would come to teach in a military society run by guys in brass hats who know only about shooting their own citizenry? I still laugh when I think of how Thailand has more generals than all 26 Nato countries combined.

Actually I think that, as indignant and self-righteous as the Europeans can often be, they might be more vocal than other governments elsewhere. European self-appointed supremacy has taken quite a hit lately, but I doubt that would stop them making superior sounding noises about Thai generals in charge here.

Quote: ........Given the imperfections inherent to democracy, Pheu Thai is the legitimately elected government of the sovereign state of Thailand....

You can say it a million times, it doesn't change the fact the Thai populace were / are grossly manipulated by over the top populist giveaways (rice scheme scam as just one example) which risk Thailand being financially bankrupt, and lots more.

You simply cannot, if you have any values and morals, use the term 'legitimately elected'.

The paymaster and his mob preached about 'democracy and equal justice, etc', in reality they continue to step by planned step to deliberately destroy both.

I think that, in the last general election, you actually can (and should) use the term "legitimately elected".

OK, the election pledges may have been poorly-conceived, economically destructive, and whatever else, but they were what the people wanted to hear... i.e. more money. Just because they lied when they were preaching about "justice", and that their policies were based on the good of the country and not for the benefit of anyone particular, this doesn't affect the legitimacy of their election win.

If you're going to blame anything on the decision to elect Peua Thai based on these pledges, blame democracy. I do (not that I have a better suggestion!).

[Baerboxer]

@Publicus.

The US supports the current openly corrupt governement because it believes they were legally elected; and allows its criminal fugitive leader a visa to enter the US. Hhmmm - shades of Noriega thinking. Anyone will do if they support US interests - dictator, so called democrat, criminal. I don't believe all US politicians are this naieve. And is Obama really dumb enough to believe Thaksin will favour the US above China ?? Thaksin knows where the future prosperity lies and it ain't in the West.

Australia - who gives a fig what they think. Your remarks about Europe only help surface your pc democrat credentials.

The danger is Obama supports the legally elected government (his he really that dumb?) and a coup forces out dictator Thaksin (the reality). China then backs the coup government. Whoops!

Suthep is right - a time bomb but maybe worse than he thinks.