Amnesty bill readings postponed to mid-Nov

[Lite Beer]

POLITICS
Amnesty bill readings postponed to mid-Nov
PRAPHAN JINDALERTUDOMDEE,
KHANITTHA THEPPHAJORN,
PRAPASRI OSATHANON
THE SUNDAY NATION

BANGKOK: -- THE HOUSE of Representatives is expected to deliberate the Amnesty Bill in the second and third readings in mid-November at the earliest, chief government whip Aumnuay Khlangpha said yesterday.

Meanwhile, Aumnuay's deputy Paijit Sreewarakan said the ruling Pheu Thai Party would order its MPs to vote in support of the draft law instead of allowing them to vote freely.

Aumnuay, on the other hand, said the party had yet to discuss again on how MPs could vote.

Aumnuay said the House ad hoc committee vetting the amnesty bill would submit its report to House Speaker Somsak Kiatsuranont later this month and it would be for Somsak to decide when to schedule the House meeting on the agenda. However, there were still some laws for the House to consider so it would be impossible for the amnesty bill to be deliberated on in the first week of November.

Pheu Thai MP Chavalit Vichayasuthi, secretary of the House ad hoc committee vetting the amnesty bill, said the panel would meet again tomorrow to approve the report and then submit to Somsak.

The amended version of the amnesty bill that would give blanket amnesty was deemed final by the committee. A total of 197 MPs and committee members who disagreed would be allowed to speak on the House floor.

Chavalit said that in his opinion, passing this amnesty bill is the right thing to do. Amendment of Article 309 of the Constitution, which is the provision protecting the conduct of coup-makers and the consequences, would be too complicated and would encounter strong opposition.

Paijit said the amnesty bill is a very important issue. Allowing MPs to vote freely might affect confidence in the government and the coalition parties. The party's strategic committee also agreed to order a bloc vote.

Paijit said that although MPs from the red shirts group disagreed with the amended draft and supported the original draft submitted by MP Worachai Hema, they would not cause much trouble as there were not so many of them. The worst thing they could do would be to abstain from voting.

Democrat MP Ongart Klampai-boon said that the Pheu Thai-dominated committee last week expedited the meeting, turned down all altered clauses proposed by opposition MPs and the minority and refused to allow all opposition members to speak.

Some MPs had earlier expected the House meeting for the amnesty bill deliberation to be scheduled for November 6.

Meanwhile, International Court of Justice is scheduled to hand down its verdict on the Preah Vihear Temple's vicinity on November 11. It is seen as a possible time bomb that could lead to domestic political unrest.

In a separate development, Thai Patriotic Front leader Chaiwat Sinsuwong said yesterday his group would rally outside the residence of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra this afternoon, calling on the government to reject the ICJ's jurisdiction in the Preah Vihear case.

He said the decision to rally outside the PM's house was made because it was so difficult to meet her, when she was supposed to listen to the voice of the people.

Green Politics coordinator Suriyasai Katasila, an anti-government activist, said key members of the People's Alliance Reforming Thailand would join an all-day meeting at Thammasat University's auditorium at the Tha Phrachan campus to evaluate the national situation and discuss anti-government activities.

The participants would join in a mourning ceremony to honour the late Supreme Patriarch before the start of the meeting.

Meanwhile, Uhtai Yodmanee, a leader of the Students' and People's Network for Thailand Reform said he would today file a complaint with police after protesters at the Urupong intersection were attacked with Ma Mui, an itchy plant, for the second time yesterday morning. A dozen of them had to be sent to hospital due to allergy. Uthai brought the bottles and containers of Ma Mui suspected to have been dropped from the expressway running above the rally site.

Nitithorn Lamlua, another leader, said the group might station some people on the expressway to guard the protesters.

-- The Nation 2013-10-27

[NongKhaiKid]

Maybe it's too early on a Sunday morning but i'm having problem with some of this story.

It reports the Chief Whip saying PTP MPs would be ordered to vote for the draft bill and the next sentence says the party still has to meet again to decide how the MPs could vote which seems contradictory as an order is an order.

It's clear however there's to be no free vote only the very obvious vote as Mr. T wants so I wonder what the " or else " part will be ?

[Bluespunk]

"Paijit said the amnesty bill is a very important issue. Allowing MPs to vote freely might affect confidence in the government and the coalition parties. The party's strategic committee also agreed to order a bloc vote."

1: Thou shalt not have an opinion

2: Thou shalt do as you are told

3: Our word is your will

4: Public perception is more important than reality.

5: Play nice sheep, follow the judas goat, or else.

PT is, I see, continuing to develop its own set of commandments.

[Neilly]

Meanwhile, Aumnuay's deputy Paijit Sreewarakan said the ruling Pheu Thai Party would order its MPs to vote in support of the draft law instead of allowing them to vote freely.

Democracy at work eh

[h90]

Meanwhile, Aumnuay's deputy Paijit Sreewarakan said the ruling Pheu Thai Party would order its MPs to vote in support of the draft law instead of allowing them to vote freely.

Democracy at work eh

Well that is everywhere in Europe that the ruling party or ruling coalition orders their MPs to vote for the government policy and against all opposition policies.

Not democratic I know.

[siampolee]

Meanwhile, Aumnuay's deputy Paijit Sreewarakan said the ruling Pheu Thai Party would order its MPs to vote in support of the draft law instead of allowing them to vote freely.

Aumnuay, on the other hand, said the party had yet to discuss again on how MPs could vote.

Judging by the two conflicting statements in the O.P. and quoted above it would seem as if there is some confusion concerning this bill.

Perhaps all is not so comfortable and calm unity within the ranks of this coalition puppet government the loss of power ( and thus income too) by certain factions and individuals is perhaps influencing the matter a little more than we may be aware. The thought of power being concentrated in one persons hands and the growing opposition and public discontent may at last be setting alarm bells ringing.

Perhaps these possibly undecided factions are coming to realise that Thaksin and his family and their brown nosing acolytes have been and still are telling ''the noble lie''.

The noble lie is spread for higher purposes.

The sacrifice of the smaller men and women along with the politicians who have in the past and even now are still being bought along with the Red Shirts in the sole pursuit of Thaksin's aim for establishing a new political dynasty along with dictatorial powers and finally the coveted ultimate seat of power.

In reality it is what Thaksin deems to be the greater good for himself, his family and their brown nosing acolytes and not Thailand nor its peoples.

Perhaps that cloud of smoke and mirrors so expertly managed by Thaksin is slowly beginning to disperse and slowly the truth is being seen in the cold light of the political day by both the politicians and the Thai people..

Edited October 27, 2013 by siampolee

[rubl]

"Allowing MPs to vote freely might affect confidence in the government and the coalition parties."

Who would have thought that

[kimamey]

Meanwhile, Aumnuay's deputy Paijit Sreewarakan said the ruling Pheu Thai Party would order its MPs to vote in support of the draft law instead of allowing them to vote freely.

Democracy at work eh

I think that shows that there's not as much support for this version of the bill as they would hope for.

[kimamey]

Meanwhile, Aumnuay's deputy Paijit Sreewarakan said the ruling Pheu Thai Party would order its MPs to vote in support of the draft law instead of allowing them to vote freely.

Democracy at work eh

Well that is everywhere in Europe that the ruling party or ruling coalition orders their MPs to vote for the government policy and against all opposition policies.

Not democratic I know.

They do but not usually on something like this although I can't imagine a bill like this ever coming up in western countries. Even if we accept the PTP's right to order their MPs to vote for this bill it does show that the bill isn't as widely supported as they might hope. They may have got a majority in parliament but they aren't certain of a majority on this.

[ginjag]

"Paijit said the amnesty bill is a very important issue. Allowing MPs to vote freely might affect confidence in the government and the coalition parties. The party's strategic committee also agreed to order a bloc vote."

1: Thou shalt not have an opinion

2: Thou shalt do as you are told

3: Our word is your will

4: Public perception is more important than reality.

5: Play nice sheep, follow the judas goat, or else.

PT is, I see, continuing to develop its own set of commandments.

Reminds me of the DARLEKS -Vote in favour or "you will be exterminated"

[waza]

Some interesting point in this article......

"Meanwhile, Aumnuay's deputy Paijit Sreewarakan said the ruling Pheu Thai Party would order its MPs to vote in support of the draft law instead of allowing them to vote freely. Aumnuay, on the other hand, said the party had yet to discuss again on how MPs could vote."

Firstly, the Chief whip's deputy is showing a bit of dissention with his boss on the issue of the party vote or the Chief Whip hasn't got the memo yet. After all his only job is ..........

"Government Chief Whip, Amnuay Klangpa, the Pheu Thai party had sent SMS messages to remind Members of Parliament (MPs) not to miss the voting" http://thainews.prd.go.th/centerweb/newsen/NewsDetail?NT01_NewsID=WNPOL5610180010002

Secondly.....

"Paijit said that although MPs from the red shirts group disagreed with the amended draft and supported the original draft submitted by MP Worachai Hema, they would not cause much trouble as there were not so many of them. The worst thing they could do would be to abstain from voting."

The redshirt MPs are irrelevant and the redshirt members don't even rate a mention. PTP democracy in action.

Lastly..........

"Allowing MPs to vote freely might affect [Thaksin's] confidence in the government and the coalition parties."

Thaksins need to micromanage his government is an indicator of how little faith he has in its abilities to follow the Thaksin Agenda.

Edited October 27, 2013 by waza

[tingtongteesood]

At least in his death the Great Patriarch has blessed the country with an extra month of no Thaksin...Thank you Mr. Patriarch.

[bigbamboo]

At least in his death the Great Patriarch has blessed the country with an extra month of no Thaksin...Thank you Mr. Patriarch.

I thought Thaksin WAS the great patriarch? Then again I used to think he was the king when I first came here but that was because I use to hear people going on and on saying 'king Thaksin this and 'king Thaksin that........

[ratcatcher]

At least in his death the Great Patriarch has blessed the country with an extra month of no Thaksin...Thank you Mr. Patriarch.

I thought Thaksin WAS the great patriarch? Then again I used to think he was the king when I first came here but that was because I use to hear people going on and on saying 'king Thaksin this and 'king Thaksin that........

Taksin the Great was a great king.

Thaksin Shinawatra is The Great Pretender.

[Local Drunk]

At least in his death the Great Patriarch has blessed the country with an extra month of no Thaksin...Thank you Mr. Patriarch.

I thought Thaksin WAS the great patriarch? Then again I used to think he was the king when I first came here but that was because I use to hear people going on and on saying 'king Thaksin this and 'king Thaksin that........

Taksin the Great was a great king.

Thaksin Shinawatra is The Great Pretender.

He's rich and he's lost face. He'll sacrifice his family and all of Thailand to set his ego right. It's no different from the guy a few days ago that killed a man for looking at his girl a bit to long. Reason and logic are not actors in the drama that we call Thailand.

[bigbamboo]

At least in his death the Great Patriarch has blessed the country with an extra month of no Thaksin...Thank you Mr. Patriarch.

I thought Thaksin WAS the great patriarch? Then again I used to think he was the king when I first came here but that was because I use to hear people going on and on saying 'king Thaksin this and 'king Thaksin that........

Taksin the Great was a great king.

Thaksin Shinawatra is The Great Pretender.

Didn't Elvis sing about being 'The Great Pretender'?

And he was the King too.

[ratcatcher]

At least in his death the Great Patriarch has blessed the country with an extra month of no Thaksin...Thank you Mr. Patriarch.

I thought Thaksin WAS the great patriarch? Then again I used to think he was the king when I first came here but that was because I use to hear people going on and on saying 'king Thaksin this and 'king Thaksin that........

Taksin the Great was a great king.

Thaksin Shinawatra is The Great Pretender.

Didn't Elvis sing about being 'The Great Pretender'?

And he was the King too.

So did Freddie Mercury, but he was the Great Queen.

[hellodolly]

Some interesting point in this article......

"Meanwhile, Aumnuay's deputy Paijit Sreewarakan said the ruling Pheu Thai Party would order its MPs to vote in support of the draft law instead of allowing them to vote freely. Aumnuay, on the other hand, said the party had yet to discuss again on how MPs could vote."

Firstly, the Chief whip's deputy is showing a bit of dissention with his boss on the issue of the party vote or the Chief Whip hasn't got the memo yet. After all his only job is ..........

"Government Chief Whip, Amnuay Klangpa, the Pheu Thai party had sent SMS messages to remind Members of Parliament (MPs) not to miss the voting" http://thainews.prd.go.th/centerweb/newsen/NewsDetail?NT01_NewsID=WNPOL5610180010002

Secondly.....

"Paijit said that although MPs from the red shirts group disagreed with the amended draft and supported the original draft submitted by MP Worachai Hema, they would not cause much trouble as there were not so many of them. The worst thing they could do would be to abstain from voting."

The redshirt MPs are irrelevant and the redshirt members don't even rate a mention. PTP democracy in action.

Lastly..........

"Allowing MPs to vote freely might affect [Thaksin's] confidence in the government and the coalition parties."

Thaksins need to micromanage his government is an indicator of how little faith he has in its abilities to follow the Thaksin Agenda.

I doubt he has any faith in them. Just a pocket full of resignations and a lot of money sent out in envelopes.

Taksin the Great was a great king.

I thought Thaksin WAS the great patriarch? Then again I used to think he was the king when I first came here but that was because I use to hear people going on and on saying 'king Thaksin this and 'king Thaksin that........

width=32 alt=coffee1.gif>

Thaksin Shinawatra is The Great Pretender.

Didn't Elvis sing about being 'The Great Pretender'?

And he was the King too.

If Thailand gets lucky Elvis and Thaksin can do a show together.

[Ricardo]

Lastly..........

"Allowing MPs to vote freely might affect [Thaksin's] confidence in the government and the coalition parties."

Thaksins need to micromanage his government is an indicator of how little faith he has in its abilities to follow the Thaksin Agenda.

This is reminiscent of the months pre-2006-coup, when the cabinet-members were bailing-out, and the unendorsed caretaker-PM told the press to address all their questions to himself, since he was the one who really made all the decisions.

Doubtless an early-sign of dementia or megalomania !

[Sunderland]

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/Amnesty-anger-set-to-explode-30218262.html

The change in dates for the amnesty bill's second and third readings from mid-November to tomorrow should not be such a surprise, and while the country was supposedly in mourning and political rallies were toned down, PT decided to seize the initiative and push for earlier readings. Could be an interesting end to this week with the bill all but passed in law by late Saturday or Sunday. I guess we will soon find out if there really is strong opposition to this government after all.