Chalerm Backs Down On Reconciliation Bill

[webfact]

ANALYSIS
Chalerm backs down on reconciliation bill
Somroutai Sapsomboon,
Prapasri Osathanon
The Nation



Removes article requiring compensation, though many see this as tactical move

BANGKOK: -- Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yoobamrung looks to have backed down from his plan to push through a controversial version of the reconciliation bill - although this may just be a tactical retreat.

His move to tone down the bill by removing an article and giving up his characteristic determination to push the bill for deliberation in Parliament is not unexpected.

"I've assigned MP Piraphan [Palusuk, Pheu Thai-Yasothon] and MP Surajit [Yontrakul, Pheu Thai-Maha Sarakham] to submit the bill to the House on May 23 [tomorrow]. It will be fine if they don't do it," he said.

He is believed to have softened his stance because the bill has met opposition from all sides - both from opponents of former PM Thaksin Shinawatra, as well as his supporters.

The red shirts do not want a blanket amnesty bill to be enacted because they want members of the previous government and military leaders punished for the 2010 crackdown. And many Pheu Thai MPs don't want Chalerm's bill considered in the House, as they believe it will provide a cause for Thaksin's opponents to launch an all-out protest against the government.

Chalerm removed Article 5, which sought to provide financial compensation to people affected by political violence and crackdowns. He said the article was removed so it would not rely on the national budget, and thus, would not need to be endorsed by Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra.

However, the real motive behind removing the article may be that he wants to free Yingluck from being held responsible for this controversial bill.

Chalerm claims that removing the article takes away the bill's link to the national budget. However, the bill sought to undo punishment meted out to Thaksin, including seizure of his assets, and if passed, the government would have had to return Bt46.37 billion - a sum that would have to be taken from the national budget.

Article 143 in the Constitution states that any bill requiring the government to pay out national funds needs to be endorsed by the premier. The charter also authorises the House speaker and chairpersons of House panels to decide if a bill is considered linked to the national budget or not.

The opposition, meanwhile, plans to seek a ruling from the Constitutional Court if Chalerm's bill does get sent to the House. Yet, Chalerm's "backdown" may just be a tactical move. This was made clear after Pheu Thai Party came up with a half-hearted resolution over the bill yesterday, and the party's de-facto boss Thaksin made no mention of it during his Skype address to the red-shirt rally on Sunday.

Thaksin just said he backed the bill put forward by Samut Prakan MP Worachai Hema, which seeks to absolve any wrongdoing by demonstrators - not their leaders.

Meanwhile, in its resolution yesterday, Pheu Thai said Chalerm's bill was a personal matter between the deputy PM and a group of MPs, and that it was not related to the party.

"Pheu Thai has resolved to support Worachai's bill and will not take up Chalerm's version for deliberation at the same time," Pheu Thai spokesman Prompong Nopparit told reporters after the party meeting. "Chalerm may sponsor the bill but it will not have anything to do with the party."

A Pheu Thai source admitted that Chalerm's bill "would become a magnet to attract opposition against the government. But the party let Chalerm go ahead to test the waters and see if it does get strong opposition. It was decided that if the opposition were strong, we would retreat. The prime minister and Pheu Thai are not related to it so there will be no damage against us," the source said. "However, if the opposition is not strong, the bill might get enacted."

But opposition to Chalerm's bill is clearly very strong.

The red shirts are against it because they want former PM Abhisit Vejjajiva and his then-deputy Suthep Thaugsuban to be punished.

And Democrat MP for Nakhon Si Thammarat Thepthai Senpong said the opposition would also put up a strong fight against it.

"At the House debate, we will use every effort to point out that this bill seeks to benefit only Thaksin. Though the Democrat Party is a minority in the House, we will do our best to block it," Thepthai promised. He added that his party would employ every House regulation to delay the bill's passage.

Chalerm's bill, they expect, would allow the now-weak People's Alliance for Democracy to boost its strength and come out to oppose any return of money to the former PM and absolving Thaksin of any wrongdoing over recent conflicts.


-- The Nation 2013-05-22

[Robby nz]

Looks like PT is coming apart at the seams.

All this is taking precedence over the actual running of the country.

Meanwhile the MP is packing for a trip to Japan.

[Bellweather]

Wow, having to back down must be a massive blow to his ego but at least he has plenty of ear medicine with which to console himself.

[whybother]

It's interesting that he's backing down on the part that gets Yingluck involved, but not backing down on the part that's pissing off the red shirts.

[Noistar]

Looks like PT is coming apart at the seams.

All this is taking precedence over the actual running of the country.

Meanwhile the MP is packing for a trip to Japan.

Not really surprised that the governing of the country doesn't feature.

Wonder if they can enact a law banning any opposition to their plans, then they could just get on with it

[waza]

No amnesty for anyone, judge them all.

[drdoom6996]

Watch out. He never does something without wanting more than he gave. He is the head thiefs main thief. But the headline really LOOKS good until you read the article.

[OzMick]

"..........he wants to free Yingluck from being held responsible for this controversial bill."

Could that be because the compensation would involve a few billion baht going to her, which reasonable people might consider to be a conflict of interest?

[jaidam]

"..........he wants to free Yingluck from being held responsible for this controversial bill."

Could that be because the compensation would involve a few billion baht going to her, which reasonable people might consider to be a conflict of interest?

Its hard to keep up with this web of financial deceit, but wasn't the whole Yingluck perjury hoo-haa due to her saying in court the billions of baht were hers, but the court ruled they were Thaksins?

Why will Yingluck be getting money?

[DeeMaiDee]

No amnesty for anyone, judge them all.

Damn right... This is what a countries laws are for and justice should be allowed to prevail for all.

[Thai at Heart]

How did he come to scribe anything without checking with the boss anyway?

Did he just take it upon himself to put it together? Bizarre

[Halion]

The man is a bigot and a moral and social coward. This action is at the behest of that other moral and social coward living overseas.

[Nickymaster]

I think it should read:

Thaksin backs down on reconciliation bill (as presented by Chalerm).

[gemini81]

Cowards back down. Their cowardly sons carry guns 'you know who my dad is?"

Must be literally the least skilled politician ever! There are no words to describe what a low life this man is.

Edited May 22, 2013 by gemini81

[hellodolly]

Seems like he is loosing his grip in the PT

First every time you turn around Yingluck is relying om him now she has removed him as the man in charge of the deep south provinces. Now his much ballyhood bill to bring Thaksin home and restore him to his former glories is falling apart on him.

There was an editorial ib the Nation of all places the other day that as it was written Yingluck would have to sign it. He must have read the article and realized the deep dudu Yingluck would be in so out of the generosity of his heart he is withdrawing it and seeking away to get it through with out the need for Yingluck's approval.

Definatly a lack of ear medicine as he seems unable to hear common sense.

[ratcatcher]

.................................................."Sorry boss, I tried."

[allalong]

If I was to really tell you what I thought of Thai politics and the way the populus except it ,it would be removed and I would be banned.

Sent from my GT-S7500L using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[GentlemanJim]

I love the photo in the OP. He looks really pi**ed off, and under the influence of a little lunchtime ear medicine I think. the attentive crowd in the background clearly find the whole thing amusing where as Ali Baba doesn't.

[ratcatcher]

If I was to really tell you what I thought of Thai politics and the way the populus except it ,it would be removed and I would be banned.

Sent from my GT-S7500L using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

Go on, get it off your chest, you'll feel a lot better.

[sunshine51]

"Removes article requiring compensation..."

Looks to me like he's trying to remove a booger.

[OzMick]

They don't call this politician a criminal, they call this criminal a politician.

[bigbamboo]

_{Chalerm's last chance to shoot for his dream of being PM and it looks like he's losing his grip on his gun. Must be a family trait.}

_{He'll definitely need a stiff drink after this.}

[Artisi]

I love the photo in the OP. He looks really pi**ed off, and under the influence of a little lunchtime ear medicine I think. the attentive crowd in the background clearly find the whole thing amusing where as Ali Baba doesn't.

Don't think he looks pi**ed off - looks like he is just well and truly pi**ed, but then I believe that is fairly normal.

[yoshiwara]

"..........he wants to free Yingluck from being held responsible for this controversial bill."

Could that be because the compensation would involve a few billion baht going to her, which reasonable people might consider to be a conflict of interest?

Its hard to keep up with this web of financial deceit, but wasn't the whole Yingluck perjury hoo-haa due to her saying in court the billions of baht were hers, but the court ruled they were Thaksins?

Why will Yingluck be getting money?

The whole family lied but the laundered money was there.