Thai govt may put amnesty law on back burner

[webfact]

POLITICS
Govt may put amnesty law on back burner
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The future of a proposed amnesty law has become uncertain as the government is likely to focus on the Budget Bill for fiscal 2014 and the draft law empowering the Finance Ministry to borrow Bt2 trillion to fund infrastructure mega-projects when the next Parliament session begins on August 1.

PM's Office Minister and Deputy Agriculture Minister Varathep Ratanakorn told yesterday's Cabinet meeting that the government's priorities during the

next parliamentary session would be those two laws, Deputy Government Spokesperson Sunisa Lertpakawat said. The Cabinet had its retreat meeting in Ayutthaya. Sunisa said yesterday that the Budget Bill was expected to be tabled for the second and third parliamentary readings on August 14 and 15.

Coalition whips will meet next Wednesday to discuss the order of issues to be tabled for House deliberations at the new parliamentary session, according to Sunisa. Other issues include constitutional amendment and the amnesty law.

Varathep, who acts as adviser to the coalition whips, told the Cabinet meeting that the government "will have a lot of work to do in Parliament" when it reconvenes next month, according to the deputy spokesperson.

The issue of amnesty law has come under media spotlight ahead of the new parliamentary session. This followed a mysterious audio clip recording a conversation between two political figures about ways to issue an amnesty law for someone believed to be former premier Thaksin Shinawatra.

The ruling Pheu Thai Party has also faced increased pressure from a group of relatives of red-shirt protesters killed or injured during the political unrest in 2010. The group plans to submit its draft amnesty law next Wednesday, with focus on seeking amnesty for ordinary protesters, as opposed to other drafts by government politicians that would seek amnesty for other groups of people.


-- The Nation 2013-07-20

[jaltsc]

In most countries legislatures pass over a hundred laws in one session, and they are telling us that the Thai legislature can't deal with more than two. Me thinks there is more to this issue than they are telling us.

Edited July 19, 2013 by jaltsc

[jaidam]

This makes sense, after all we just heard last week that an emergency decree was to be used to complete PTP's number one mission. Amnesty is only relevant for the general protesters which as we know comes secondary to his masters wants.

[theblether]

Round and round the garden.........they've been warned off again, it's a simple as that.

You don't mess with the real power in this country.

[ggold]

In most countries legislatures pass over a hundred laws in one session, and they are telling us that the Thai legislature can't deal with more than two. Me thinks there is more to this issue than they are telling us.

Yes, even Thaksin has to take second place, the scamming obviously is more important!

[LuckyLew]

wink wink nudge nudge

and we will wake up one day a see an amnesty bill or Thaksin has passed

Do they think people are that stupid?

So they think Thaksin will allow this ...

Three ring cicus

[rametindallas]

Be wary! When the government speaks, think the opposite. This government is faced with a sensible bill from the 'relatives' that was also endorsed by the Democrats. If that bill were to become law, there would be no hope to amnesty Dr. Thaksin. So, they lie low for awhile and when they think no one is paying attention or distracted they will table Chalerm's bill. Dr. Thaksin knows he has only one shot and he has only himself to blame for any delays.

What about the changes to, or writing a totally new, Constitution that was top to the agenda during last session? Will they wait for an opportune time to spring that on the opposition?

This government knows it is too corrupt to last so they want to steal enough for a generation with the 2.2 - 2.5 trillion Baht Infrastructure Improvement loan. No future government will be able to borrow a satang after that. It will be difficult for a future government to play the 'populist' card when there is no money to give away. Bottom line is PTP insiders get theirs and they leave a mess so future governments will look incompetent. It will be impossible to explain to the populace that there is no money left and they can't have their goodies.

I wish I could fine one thing that I could point to that this government is doing and say, "That's a good thing".

[jcb2001]

This makes sense, after all we just heard last week that an emergency decree was to be used to complete PTP's number one mission. Amnesty is only relevant for the general protesters which as we know comes secondary to his masters wants.

It wouldn't surprise me if this was PT's plan. It's all about Thaksin and he wants to come home. Hell with the menial red-shirt amnesty as this will just bog down Thaksin's plans for his grand return. He just can't wait.

[Neilly]

POLITICS

Govt may put amnesty law on back burner

Pretty much what was said yesterday when the Dems agreed with the plan put forward by group of relatives of red-shirt protesters...there was no wriggle room to bring Mr T home in it

[ratcatcher]

Round and round the garden.........they've been warned off again, it's a simple as that.

You don't mess with the real power in this country.

Remember, you read it here first. theblether has it right.

"You don't mess with the real power in this country"!!!!!

Thaksin ought to know that.

[Baerboxer]

Round and round the garden.........they've been warned off again, it's a simple as that.

You don't mess with the real power in this country.

Remember, you read it here first. theblether has it right.

"You don't mess with the real power in this country"!!!!!

Thaksin ought to know that.

Go on then, spoil us ............... and the real power is .................. ???????????

[ezzra]

wink wink nudge nudge

and we will wake up one day a see an amnesty bill or Thaksin has passed

Do they think people are that stupid?

So they think Thaksin will allow this ...

Three ring cicus

Assuming he will come back, still, half of the people want a piece of his

money and the other half want a piece of him, dodging the bullet will

so much harder for him living in Thailand, as many people despise

the man.

[robertson468]

POLITICS

Govt may put amnesty law on back burner

Pretty much what was said yesterday when the Dems agreed with the plan put forward by group of relatives of red-shirt protesters...there was no wriggle room to bring Mr T home in it

One hopes so, but I think the wording needs to be very carefully scrutinized to ensure there is not any "accidental" loop hole that will allow Thaksin and his cohorts to exploit the bill. I just have a little bit of doubt that this will proceed without any hitches - but watch this space peeps!

[khunken]

Apart from the conspiracy theory - seemingly trotted out from those who know it all - the other newspaper reports that the UDD have rejected the amnesty bill put forward by relatives of some of the victims of 2010.

Not really surprising as it excludes the red short leaders, those involved in violence & their paymaster.

[mikemac]

Assuming he will come back, still, half of the people want a piece of his

money and the other half want a piece of him, dodging the bullet will

so much harder for him living in Thailand, as many people despise

the man.

I agree. Had a few beers with a Thai friend of mine recently in Chiang Mai and the subject turned to Thaksin. I supposed being from Chiang Mai he would be a Thaksin supporter, but not so. Had no time for the redshirts either. He said he did not think Thaksin would ever return to Thailand because he feared for his life. At least he was safe in Dubai (and he is still running the country, for now.)

But beware, as William Congreve said "Heaven has no rage like love to hatred turned, Nor hell a fury like a despot scorned"

[rametindallas]

Apart from the conspiracy theory - seemingly trotted out from those who know it all - the other newspaper reports that the UDD have rejected the amnesty bill put forward by relatives of some of the victims of 2010.

Not really surprising as it excludes the red short leaders, those involved in violence & their paymaster.

No surprise since the UDD was created by Thaksin for Thaksin and its board is on Thaksin's payroll.

[mikemac]

and the real power is .................. ???????????

[virtualtraveller]

Peua Thai is so fixated on a single-minded goal of returning Thaksin and his lost money (even if it means creating new corruption opportunities) that they're digging themselves a big hole to fall in to. They listen to no advice except Thaksin's, that's dangerous. I'm guessing the establishment are sitting back letting this desperate guy create increasingly bad will for himself, then they will haul it all out with perfect timing when the pressure against Yingluck has reached tipping point. I wouldn't be surprised if they put Peua THai and her on trial for being a proxy govt, the mounting evidence (e.g. last week's taped conversation) is pretty damning. Expect her to be 'disbanded' before the next election.