Abhisit’s opposition against Thai amnesty bill relentless

[webfact]

Democrat leader’s opposition against amnesty bill relentless
By English News



BANGKOK, Aug 10 – Opposition Democrat leader Abhisit Vejjajiva has declared his determination to oppose the amnesty bill under parliamentary procedure.

The government-sponsored amnesty bill sailed through the first reading in the House of Representatives on Thursday, pending a seven-day scrutiny in the second reading by a 35-member committee.

Mr Abhisit, a member of the scrutiny committee, said he would closely monitor the atmosphere in the scrutiny process, warning that any attempt to abruptly wrap up deliberations in the second reading would be unethical and unconstitutional.

The former prime minister said the Democrat Party would definitely not join the government’s forum on political reform as long as the government insists on pushing the amnesty bill into law.

The Democrat Party’s political movement has been made through Parliament but Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra refused to attend parliamentary sessions especially during the debate of the amnesty bill, lamented Mr Abhisit.

He added that former Democrat leader Bhichai Rattakul has the right to join the government-initiated forum on political reform in his capacity as a former MP.

He would participate in the forum as an ex-MP, and not as a Democrat leader, Mr Abhisit said.

Meanwhile, ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra reportedly expressed satisfaction over the House’s approval of the amnesty bill in the first reading.

Thaksin’s legal adviser, Noppadol Pattama, quoted Mr Thaksin as saying that the passage of the bill would be the first step towards reconciliation in the country.

Mr Noppadol said the opposition party should no longer plan to block the amnesty bill in the third, or final, reading. (MCOT online news)


-- TNA 2013-08-10

[Thai at Heart]

Like being savaged by a poodle.

[billd766]

So you believe that it is OK to break the laws of the country and with a quick application of the whitewash brush everything becomes magically OK and the victims don't count or matter any more?

[tomross46]

Mr. Abhisits why do you not want the return of our deal leader? Our deal leader wants to return from those harsh conditions in Dubai, back to the his meager home on Charan Sanit Wong. He does not want to be PM again, but if he was offered the position of President, he might accept.

He would want to lave his jet land at Don Muang because there are runway problems at Nong Nu Hoau Airport.

[Ricardo]

Mr Noppadol (Thaksins legal adviser) says that Thaksin says to pass the amnesty.

Can't former-PM Abhisit and the Dems just learn to follow his orders ?

Or don't they understand that the accusations of murder, the 'peaceful protests' and the DSI-cases will continue, until they obey ?

Yay for Red 'reconciliation' !

Edited August 10, 2013 by Ricardo

[Bluespunk]

"Mr Noppadol said the opposition party should no longer plan to block the amnesty bill in the third, or final, reading. (MCOT online news)"

I see thaksin's take on democratic processes and opposition to his will remains as crass as ever and reflects that of PT.

[Calimotty]

let him come back

he will be an easier target here

Shoot your mouth off like that to the majority of Thai people and see where it gets you?

[OzMick]

let him come back

he will be an easier target here

Shoot your mouth off like that to the majority of Thai people and see where it gets you?

Please enlighten us. I regularly express my opinion that the man is a criminal and should spend his life behind bars to some of the 48% who voted for his party, and that is accepted as fair comment because I am prepared to give my reasons. Some even agree that he is a criminal, but vote for him anyway under the misapprehension that he cares for them.

I agree that their is a thug element who would react violently to such a suggestion, but to think that the majority of Thais care that much is rather silly.

[fstarbkk]

Long live REDconciliation!

[PoodMaiDai]

let him come back

he will be an easier target here

Shoot your mouth off like that to the majority of Thai people and see where it gets you?

A pipe or machete to the head? Or a gang jumping with 10 Thai boys with stones and bottles?

How civilized.

[Baerboxer]

let him come back

he will be an easier target here

Shoot your mouth off like that to the majority of Thai people and see where it gets you?

Or even the minority who voted for his political party.

[GentlemanJim]

I do believe Mr A has had an enjoyable summer recess by the looks of it. he appears to be putting a bit of beef on. Still, he may need it for the fight ahead. I just wish his political clout could match his intellect though. What gets me in all of this are the coalition parties that have agreed to support PTP. It goes without saying that all PTP members think T is the messiah and 'he thinks, they do', but for the coalition parties, they could put an end to all this madness. they are simply selling their country down the river for money and position.

[hellodolly]

Like being savaged by a poodle.

Unfortunately at this point what you say is true.

It is truly a shame that a country with such wonderful people and so much potential should have to suffer under the hands of a self appointed tyrant.

My money says that one of the first things he does when he gets back is cut back on education. The dumber the better for him.

[geriatrickid]

Like being savaged by a poodle.

A miniature toothless one at that.

[Chao Lao Beach]

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra refused to attend parliamentary sessions especially during the debate of the amnesty bill, lamented Mr Abhisit.

Does she ever attend ?

[geriatrickid]

Abhisit's fixation on the Bill belies his party's lack of policy. The legislation will pass amd time and resources will have been squandered on navel gazing.

The Democrats have a duty to constructively criticize legislation, this Bill included. However, while all the attention is focused on this one Bill, other legislation goes unchallenged. An opposition party should function as the nation's watchdog, raising legitimate concerns about government policy. Unfortunately, the Democrats just can't manage the process or put forward viable, workable alternatives.

There is an issue of corruption in Thailand. The Democrats could have staked out an unassailable position as the party of integrity and the leaders in the fight against corruption. It failed to do so. It's southern power center is now under investigation and being exposed layer by layer. I have the impression that Abhisit seeks to distract the attention away from the serious issues in Phuket regarding some very highly placed Democrat supporters and allies. The DSI just named names in Phuket and it has serious ramifications for Abhisit's party.

[hellodolly]

let him come back

he will be an easier target here

Shoot your mouth off like that to the majority of Thai people and see where it gets you?

Have you any thing to back up your nonsense. Only 48% of the voters voted PTP that means that definatly for sure guarantied 52% do not want him back.

Of the 48% there was a certain % that did not want him they were voting for Yingluck. For sure all the yellow shirts who didn't vote do not want him back.

So do you think the majority want him back because they like you feel there is a bullet in Thailand with his name on it?

[FarangTalk]

Like being savaged by a poodle.

Unfortunately at this point what you say is true.

It is truly a shame that a country with such wonderful people and so much potential should have to suffer under the hands of a self appointed tyrant.

My money says that one of the first things he does when he gets back is cut back on education. The dumber the better for him.

The "wonderful people" have chosen, and continue to choose, the populist parties of the Thaksin clan.

Nothing self appointed about it, and no great mystery about it either.

The real suffering of the rural majority happened under the Democrat Party with their policies of 'Bitter Medicine' in the 90's, which is why they remain consistently in the opposition today.

[tingtongteesood]

Taksin lied again, just one sentence and a lie, I am starting to think he can't tell the truth even if his life depended on it ! THIS AMNESTY CRAP HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH RECONCILIATION, IT IS A PT WHITEWASH OF THEIR OWN MISDEEDS plain and simple.

[hellodolly]

Abhisit's fixation on the Bill belies his party's lack of policy. The legislation will pass amd time and resources will have been squandered on navel gazing.

The Democrats have a duty to constructively criticize legislation, this Bill included. However, while all the attention is focused on this one Bill, other legislation goes unchallenged. An opposition party should function as the nation's watchdog, raising legitimate concerns about government policy. Unfortunately, the Democrats just can't manage the process or put forward viable, workable alternatives.

There is an issue of corruption in Thailand. The Democrats could have staked out an unassailable position as the party of integrity and the leaders in the fight against corruption. It failed to do so. It's southern power center is now under investigation and being exposed layer by layer. I have the impression that Abhisit seeks to distract the attention away from the serious issues in Phuket regarding some very highly placed Democrat supporters and allies. The DSI just named names in Phuket and it has serious ramifications for Abhisit's party.

Now you are being silly. Do you think opposing white washing Thaksin and letting him come back to Thailand is not fighting corruption. to not do so would be acting with out integrity. Thaksin is the biggest problem facing Thailand now. It must be faced now. Do you really honestly and truly believe the PTP is willing to wait?

If the Dems are successful in stopping the white wash of Thaksin it will mean the end for the PTP. How can you not say that is truly putting an end to the current corruption in the government. Even larger than when Thaksin was PM

the big question is why do you want it ignored?

[Frank James]

"Thaksin is the biggest problem facing Thailand now. It must be faced now."

Really?

[kimamey]

Like being savaged by a poodle.

Unfortunately at this point what you say is true.

It is truly a shame that a country with such wonderful people and so much potential should have to suffer under the hands of a self appointed tyrant.

My money says that one of the first things he does when he gets back is cut back on education. The dumber the better for him.

The "wonderful people" have chosen, and continue to choose, the populist parties of the Thaksin clan.

Nothing self appointed about it, and no great mystery about it either.

The real suffering of the rural majority happened under the Democrat Party with their policies of 'Bitter Medicine' in the 90's, which is why they remain consistently in the opposition today.

I think the self appointed bit means he wasn't voted for.

[hellodolly]

Like being savaged by a poodle.

Unfortunately at this point what you say is true.

It is truly a shame that a country with such wonderful people and so much potential should have to suffer under the hands of a self appointed tyrant.

My money says that one of the first things he does when he gets back is cut back on education. The dumber the better for him.

The "wonderful people" have chosen, and continue to choose, the populist parties of the Thaksin clan.

Nothing self appointed about it, and no great mystery about it either.

The real suffering of the rural majority happened under the Democrat Party with their policies of 'Bitter Medicine' in the 90's, which is why they remain consistently in the opposition today.

Now you are insulting the Thais. We know for a fact that the majority of the Thais do not want Thaksin. Are you saying the minority of Thais are the wonderful people? What do you call the majority of them? We know what I called them and we know you disagree.

So you think that the suffering of the rural majority was not there until the 90s. Did they live in palaces before that?

Now in the last 13 years Thaksin has run the country 9 of them. Are you saying they no longer suffer?

"Thaksin is the biggest problem facing Thailand now. It must be faced now."

Really?

Yes

[kimamey]

Abhisit's fixation on the Bill belies his party's lack of policy. The legislation will pass amd time and resources will have been squandered on navel gazing.

The Democrats have a duty to constructively criticize legislation, this Bill included. However, while all the attention is focused on this one Bill, other legislation goes unchallenged. An opposition party should function as the nation's watchdog, raising legitimate concerns about government policy. Unfortunately, the Democrats just can't manage the process or put forward viable, workable alternatives.

There is an issue of corruption in Thailand. The Democrats could have staked out an unassailable position as the party of integrity and the leaders in the fight against corruption. It failed to do so. It's southern power center is now under investigation and being exposed layer by layer. I have the impression that Abhisit seeks to distract the attention away from the serious issues in Phuket regarding some very highly placed Democrat supporters and allies. The DSI just named names in Phuket and it has serious ramifications for Abhisit's party.

If they think this particular amnesty is wrong then it's their duty to oppose it. Bear in mind they don't totally oppose an amnesty just this one as they think it will be used to bring back Thaksin. Whether that's possible or not I don't know but I wouldn't rule it out.

There are other problems with the government and their own party. They certainly need to sort out any corruption within their own ranks as well as in other areas including the government. Didn't they make a case for corruption in the rice scheme a little while back. They've also been fighting against the borrowing of money for things like the high speed train so i don't think you can accuse them of only opposing this bill. They may feel that with little power in parliament that they may have a chance with this bill if it can be shown that if it is interpreted as a way to include Thaksin then it will then apply to Abhisit and Suthep. Many reds think (wrongly in my view) that if brought to trial they will be punished for the deaths of red shirts and others so they don't want anything that may stop that.

[HerbalEd]

let him come back

he will be an easier target here

Shoot your mouth off like that to the majority of Thai people and see where it gets you?

Please enlighten us. I regularly express my opinion that the man is a criminal and should spend his life behind bars to some of the 48% who voted for his party, and that is accepted as fair comment because I am prepared to give my reasons. Some even agree that he is a criminal, but vote for him anyway under the misapprehension that he cares for them.

I agree that their is a thug element who would react violently to such a suggestion, but to think that the majority of Thais care that much is rather silly.

Yes you should be able to express your opinion but you may want to leave out the "target" part which has an assination innuendo.

[ricku]

Can someone please give me a quick dummy explanation to the so called amnesty bill?

What does it do, and why are people upset about it?

Is this amnesty bill the reason to the latest political tensions?

No I haven't been sleeping under a rock lately. I'm just a little bit slow some times.

[blackman]

let him come back

he will be an easier target here

Shoot your mouth off like that to the majority of Thai people and see where it gets you?

i do

i am still here

[geriatrickid]

Abhisit's fixation on the Bill belies his party's lack of policy. The legislation will pass amd time and resources will have been squandered on navel gazing.

The Democrats have a duty to constructively criticize legislation, this Bill included. However, while all the attention is focused on this one Bill, other legislation goes unchallenged. An opposition party should function as the nation's watchdog, raising legitimate concerns about government policy. Unfortunately, the Democrats just can't manage the process or put forward viable, workable alternatives.

There is an issue of corruption in Thailand. The Democrats could have staked out an unassailable position as the party of integrity and the leaders in the fight against corruption. It failed to do so. It's southern power center is now under investigation and being exposed layer by layer. I have the impression that Abhisit seeks to distract the attention away from the serious issues in Phuket regarding some very highly placed Democrat supporters and allies. The DSI just named names in Phuket and it has serious ramifications for Abhisit's party.

Now you are being silly. Do you think opposing white washing Thaksin and letting him come back to Thailand is not fighting corruption. to not do so would be acting with out integrity. Thaksin is the biggest problem facing Thailand now. It must be faced now. Do you really honestly and truly believe the PTP is willing to wait?

If the Dems are successful in stopping the white wash of Thaksin it will mean the end for the PTP. How can you not say that is truly putting an end to the current corruption in the government. Even larger than when Thaksin was PM

the big question is why do you want it ignored?

The Thaksin issue is to Thailand what the manifestation of an oozing rash is to an infection. Thaksin isn't the problem. Rather the socio-economic conditions of Thailand created Thaksin. Tomorrow, if Thaksin vaporized, a new "rebel" would fill his designer boutique shoes. As long as a handful of families and their allies and assorted minions control the country, the country cannot progress. There will always be an opportunity for some demagogue to take the opportunity to claim the mantle as spokesman for the majority of Thailand's population, who are have nots.

Thailand needs a leader who will advance a progressive agenda. It might require the upending of several social conventions and even long held Thai traditions. As long as Thailand denies itself an effective multi party political system, there won't be progress. You are labouring under the misconception that the return of Thaksin would result in his anointing as the leader of Thailand. It won't happen anytime soon. The man would have to win an election and if he was running as the PM candidate for the PTP, he would be resoundingly defeated.

The Democrats are the party of the oligarchy. Try as they might, they do not have the human touch and Abhisit will never be able to connect with the tens of millions of Thais who have been left out of the nation's drive to prosperity. Thaksin, for all of his faults, understood the regular Somchai. He got it, the same way a Reagan, Putin, Blair, Thatcher did. The aforementioned were hardly friends of the working man, but they could speak to them in terms people understood. They could create an emotional bond, and give their respective electorates hope. Abhisit can't do this. Instead, he obsesses on Thaksin. If Abhisit and his puppet masters really wanted to show that they were different and could make a positive difference they would come out full force against corruption. Unfortunately, while the Phuket corruption crisis worsened, he hasn't said one word that might upset his southern power base. Abhisit hangs on to the Thaksin issue, because it is all he has. He couldn't even take a boat to an oil damaged island zone without stirring up ridicule of his silly photo op.

[Billmont]

After the coup they would not let Thaksin return, why? They were afraid. After he was sentenced to gaol time they wanted him back, why? They were afraid of him being free, even outside Thailand. Why do they oppose the amnesty bill? They are afraid of his return. If Thaksin does not have widespread support as the opposition claim, then let him back and the sooner the better. Then hopefully this matter can be laid to rest, it is time to move on. Too much time is being wasted over Thaksin and it is getting silly. In the end the people will decide and every dog has his day, perhaps his day has already been had. Pass the bill, waste no more time, is Thaksin any worse than the others in Thailand or internationally, I doubt it. Let the people speak at the next election and dont do any electioneering for him by keeping his name at the forefront of Thai politics.

[billd766]

Like being savaged by a poodle.

Unfortunately at this point what you say is true.

It is truly a shame that a country with such wonderful people and so much potential should have to suffer under the hands of a self appointed tyrant.

My money says that one of the first things he does when he gets back is cut back on education. The dumber the better for him.

The "wonderful people" have chosen, and continue to choose, the populist parties of the Thaksin clan.

Nothing self appointed about it, and no great mystery about it either.

The real suffering of the rural majority happened under the Democrat Party with their policies of 'Bitter Medicine' in the 90's, which is why they remain consistently in the opposition today.

Please enlighten me just what the "Bitter Medicine Policies" were in the 1990s.

Were they something to do with the fact that the Democrats were in oppostion and the governments of Chavalit and Banharn nearly bankrupted the country that the government resigned?

That the Democrats had to get a loan from the IMF to keep the country going and it had to be repaid.

That Chavalit and Banharn had spent ALL the foreign currency reserves to prop up the Thai baht and STILL failed.

But no problem, Super Thaksin fixed it 4 years later and repaid the entire loan from his own personal money.

No matter that The Democrats had paid most of it off already and Thaksin paid the final bit with the governments aka taxpayers money and NOT his own.

No matter that Super Thaksin was in BOTH the Chavalit AND the Banharn governments.

The Red Shirts KNOW the truth. It is in the little redshirt book by Thaksin that reads; Thaksin is the greatest and all powerful and everybody else is bad.

Seek the truth and it will make you free.

But which truth?