Opposition grills Prayuth on bill

[webfact]

Opposition grills Prayuth on bill
The Nation

Wants to know whether amnesty would apply to cases investigated by both the Election Commission, NACC

BANGKOK: -- PHEU THAI MEMBER Prayuth Siripanich yesterday found himself in the hot seat, as he was grilled by the opposition over the proposed blanket amnesty.

Prayuth was confronted by the opposition lawmakers during a meeting of the House committee in charge of vetting the amnesty bill.

Committee member Kaewsan Atibodhi cited Prayuth's interview as the basis for questioning whether the amnesty would apply to cases investigated by the Election Commission (EC) and the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC).

The queries were raised because Prayuth had used vague wording about absolving those accused by coup-related agencies.

Following the 2006 coup, the EC and the NACC had their mandate renewed by the junta.

In his reply, Prayuth said the amnesty would not undo the work of the independent organisations.

Committee member Niphon Hakimi said the Council of State had ruled that coup-related agencies would include the Assets Examination Commission and not the NACC.

Democrat MP Thaworn Senneam said that in his view, the EC and the NACC were not formed by the junta.

Thaworn said although the amnesty would cover the period from September 19, 2006 to August 2013, this would have no bearing on graft cases related to the rice-pledging scheme and the spending on flood control.

He voiced suspicion that Prayuth appeared ambiguous about amnesty in order to leave wiggle room for former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra and his cohorts.

In a related development, Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva said Thaksin might have erred in assessing there were only 10,000 opponents of the amnesty bill.

Thaksin was underestimating the anti-amnesty sentiment, he said.

He reminded the former prime minister that his bullying tactics to invoke majority rule had led to his downfall.

NACC chairman Panthep Klanarongran said he needed to study the amnesty law, if enacted, before commenting on its impact on anti-corruption work.

At this juncture, the NACC would carry on working on the incomplete cases of the AEC, he said.

Thaksin's legal adviser Noppadon Pattama said the former prime minister did not comment or exert influence over how the ruling party should vote for the passage of amnesty.

News reports that said Thaksin had allowed a free vote on amnesty and that he estimated only some 10,000 red shirts were opposed to the blanket amnesty were false, Noppadon said.

Thaksin had no role in the issue and only the Pheu Thai Party would decide on the passage of amnesty, he said.

"Thaksin has listened to and heeded opinions of relevant parties," he said, denying about the influence over the amnesty vote.

"Thaksin's bottom line remains unchanged - he wishes to see the country advance forward."


-- The Nation 2013-10-26

[ramrod711]

"Thaksin has listened to and heeded opinions of relevant parties," he said, denying about the influence over the amnesty vote.

I don't know whether to laugh or cry, if Thaksin has ever paid attention to anyone outside his family, i've never heard or seen any evidence of it.

[waza]

Thaworn said although the amnesty would cover the period from September 19, 2006 to August 2013, this would have no bearing on graft cases related to the rice-pledging scheme and the spending on flood control.

Hmm so there is reason to think that the crimes of the present Thaksin administration and its percipients will be pardoned as well. Wouldn't this big juicy carrot designed to influence the vote be considered a conflict of interest?

Edited October 26, 2013 by waza

[h90]

Thaworn said although the amnesty would cover the period from September 19, 2006 to August 2013, this would have no bearing on graft cases related to the rice-pledging scheme and the spending on flood control.

Hmm so there is reason to think that the crimes of the present Thaksin administration and its percipients will be pardoned as well. Wouldn't this big juicy carrot designed to influence the vote be considered a conflict of interest?

How long to wait till the amnesty includes also future crimes......

[Baerboxer]

Thaworn said although the amnesty would cover the period from September 19, 2006 to August 2013, this would have no bearing on graft cases related to the rice-pledging scheme and the spending on flood control.

Hmm so there is reason to think that the crimes of the present Thaksin administration and its percipients will be pardoned as well. Wouldn't this big juicy carrot designed to influence the vote be considered a conflict of interest?

How long to wait till the amnesty includes also future crimes......

They won't need to worry about future crimes - no checks and balances, courts, police, NGO's, AG and DSI all under control or disbanded.

As the elected government they will be able to what they want - which has always been what the leader really wanted. Total decision making power with no checks, balances or accountability.

Remember - "The government knows best but the people don't always realize yet. Trust us."

[renaissanc]

This will all end in bloodshed. I have no doubt about this.

[Robby nz]

Thaksin's legal adviser Noppadon Pattama said the former prime minister did not comment or exert influence over how the ruling party should vote for the passage of amnesty.

If that is true then why did he phone Weng and Co?

News reports that said Thaksin had allowed a free vote on amnesty and that he estimated only some 10,000 red shirts were opposed to the blanket amnesty were false, Noppadon said.

Then why did PT MP,s in another news report say Thaksin had allowed them a free vote?

And if Thaksin is not involved what is his legal advisor doing commenting anyway ?

[FangFerang]

It seems likely that the current lawlessness that protects the wealthy from prosecution will remain unchanged. It also seems that the small "shadow leadership" is unaffected by all this. In short, old business, new business is the same business. What the voting public needs and wants is divorced from the power struggles taking place in the leadership (and this is sadly a fact of most western governments too, and the Chinese). While the wild and obvious injustices raise strident objections among westerners (many of whom conveniently forget the injustices in their home countries), here comes the new boss, same as the old boss.

It seems likely that the current lawlessness that protects the wealthy from prosecution will remain unchanged (worldwide). The prosecutions of the US banking fiasco can be counted on one hand (and killed people as surely as bullets do). And so it goes...

There seems to be a thinly-veiled threat of a coup if the bill passes, which will create a heated delay, but not effectively stop the evolution of the Thai political system (an evolution I do not pretend to predict or understand). My own hopes in this matter, concerning peace and the well-being of Thais everywhere, is just a whisper in a typhoon....

[khunken]

Thaksin's legal adviser Noppadon Pattama said the former prime minister did not comment or exert influence over how the ruling party should vote for the passage of amnesty.

More bs from Thaksin's liar-in-chief. Mr T has openly (& no doubt covertly) supported his get out of jail free card. There is no chance that those who were appointed by him will vote freely. PTP is not a democratic party with all important decisions being made by a single quasi-dictator.

[Arkady]

So, will PT go ahead and ram this bill through while the opposition groups have suspended their street protests due to the mourning period for the Supreme Patriarch? That would be a rather risky strategy.

[petedk]

So, will PT go ahead and ram this bill through while the opposition groups have suspended their street protests due to the mourning period for the Supreme Patriarch? That would be a rather risky strategy.

I think that's the idea. I read something in the Bangkok Post that they would rush the second and third readings through.

[smedly]

This will all end in bloodshed. I have no doubt about this.

how could it, it's all about reconciliation and bringing all the Thai people together holding hands, isn't that what Thaksin keeps telling everyone ? ............. while he and his cohorts are robbing the people blind - not much has changed there has it

[AleG]

So, will PT go ahead and ram this bill through while the opposition groups have suspended their street protests due to the mourning period for the Supreme Patriarch? That would be a rather risky strategy.

It's not as if this ghouls didn't have a history of using the death of people as a political tactic.

[bigbamboo]

Thaksin's legal adviser Noppadon Pattama said the former prime minister did not comment or exert influence over how the ruling party should vote for the passage of amnesty.

More bs from Thaksin's liar-in-chief. Mr T has openly (& no doubt covertly) supported his get out of jail free card. There is no chance that those who were appointed by him will vote freely. PTP is not a democratic party with all important decisions being made by a single quasi-dictator.

OK, so nobody gives any credence to anything Noppadol says but whatever happened to 'Thaksin thinks, Pheu Thai acts'?

That's the only reason most of the PT supporters I know voted for his little sister in the first place.

[rametindallas]

Thaworn said although the amnesty would cover the period from September 19, 2006 to August 2013, this would have no bearing on graft cases related to the rice-pledging scheme and the spending on flood control.

Hmm so there is reason to think that the crimes of the present Thaksin administration and its percipients will be pardoned as well. Wouldn't this big juicy carrot designed to influence the vote be considered a conflict of interest?

How long to wait till the amnesty includes also future crimes......

Until the dictatorship is fully installed.