Thai lower house passes political amnesty bill

[webfact]

Thai lower house passes political amnesty bill

BANGKOK, November 1, 2013 (AFP) - Thailand's lower house of parliament on Friday passed a controversial political amnesty bill that has sparked mass anti-government protests.

Lawmakers voted 310-0 in the early hours of the morning to pass the legislation, with four abstentions, according to a parliamentary official.

Opponents fear the bill -- which still needs approval by the upper house -- will "whitewash" past abuses and allow ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra to return.

Government whip Amnuay Khangpha said the opposition Democrat Party -- which opposes the amnesty -- refused to take part in the vote, which came after about 19 hours of heated debate.

"The bill sailed through the second and third readings early this morning," he told AFP.

"The bill will now be submitted to the Senate," he said.

Thousands of people joined a rally against the planned amnesty in Bangkok on Thursday evening, some wearing bandanas reading "Fight" and waving clappers with the slogan "Stop the amnesty for corrupt people".

"If a murderer kills someone and later he gets an amnesty, then the country will not be peaceful," said Surapol Srimawong, 56, from the northeastern province of Korat.

"It would mean any leader can kill whoever and after killing he can issue the amnesty bill, then it would be terrible."

According to national police spokesman Piya Uthayo, around 6,500 people joined the rally organised by the opposition.

The ruling Puea Thai Party of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra -- Thaksin's sister -- had ordered all its lawmakers to support the amnesty bill, which would cover crimes related to political unrest since 2004.

Supporters of the legislation say it will draw a line under years of turmoil culminating in mass pro-Thaksin "Red Shirt" protests in 2010 that left dozens of civilians dead in a military crackdown.

But human rights groups have said a blanket amnesty would allow officials and protest leaders to go unpunished for alleged abuses.

"By passing a whitewash blanket amnesty bill, Pheu Thai Party turns Thailand into pariah state that doesn't respect justice and human rights," Human Rights Watch researcher Sunai Phasuk warned.

In 2010, mass rallies by the Red Shirts against the previous government ended in the kingdom's worst civil violence in decades, with more than 90 people killed and nearly 1,900 wounded in street clashes and a military crackdown.

Thaksin, the former owner of Manchester City football club, lives in self-imposed exile in Dubai to avoid prison for a corruption conviction imposed in his absence in 2008.

He contends that the jail term -- linked to a controversial purchase of state-owned land by his wife -- was politically motivated.

As well as pardoning people involved in political protests, the amnesty would also cover those accused by organisations set up after the 2006 coup, according to a copy of the bill seen by AFP.


-- (c) Copyright AFP 2013-11-01

[Robby nz]

If what the Mrs tells me is reported on facebook is correct the Dems walked out after being refused the right to speak.

The third reading was then over and dusted within an hour.

PT democracy strikes again.

[rogerdee123]

just another day in paradise ......

[ginjag]

Sorry for this------COME ON ARMY. Biggest reason, Dems refused to speak--That means dictatorship Full stop.

[JoeThePoster]

Looks like Jinger Ben is coming back in time for Christmas.

[coma]

If what the Mrs tells me is reported on facebook is correct the Dems walked out after being refused the right to speak.

The third reading was then over and dusted within an hour.

PT democracy strikes again.

310-0 ?? I think something like that must have occured.

[trainman34014]

Did we expect anything else ?

[animatic]

It looks like PT and Thaksin are going to trash yet another high season for Thailand.

[Artisi]

I declare the games open, may the best team win.

[boomerangutang]

Those are the kind of numbers you get - when there's an approval vote for a N.Korean dictator, or an Iraqi war monger.

[boomerangutang]

I declare the games open, may the best team win.

It depends how you define the word 'best'.

For the Shinawatres, the word 'best' means 'worst' - if you gauge it by their definition of the word 'reconciliation' which, for them and their sheeple, means; 'sowing dissent and rifts.'

[waza]

Sad day for Thailand, sold to the highest bidder.

[Showbags]

It looks like PT and Thaksin are going to trash yet another high season for Thailand.

Good, you get what you deserve.

[Local Drunk]

It looks like PT and Thaksin are going to trash yet another high season for Thailand.

Good, you get what you deserve.

There are currently a lot of people from every status of Thai society gathering on the streets today and saying, "We don't deserve this".

[WitawatWatawit]

Do the nonces at PT really understand what they have done here? It's not just the fact that they have set a course for another deadly upheaval. It's the precedence, the seeds that they have sown in some peoples' minds that moral values do not have to be defended at all costs. That ship has well and truly sailed.

[phosphorescent]

Do the nonces at PT really understand what they have done here? It's not just the fact that they have set a course for another deadly upheaval. It's the precedence, the seeds that they have sown in some peoples' minds that moral values do not have to be defended at all costs. That ship has well and truly sailed.

In Thai politics, "morals" are only found at the end of fictitious fables.

[ballpoint]

Looks like Jinger Ben is coming back in time for Christmas.

I'm dreaming of a white(washed) Christmas...

[coma]

So the Attorney - General might as well drop the charges against Mark and Suthep.

[rixalex]

Be nice to hear from all the red shirt / PTP sympathetic posters on here who have, since this amnesty bill idea was proposed by PTP all those months ago, insisted that it wasn't about Thaksin, and that people shouldn't rush to conclusions and should patiently wait.

If you don't feel stupid, you certainly should do. You know who you are.

[cornishcarlos]

Around 6500 opposition supporters rallied !!!

The government must be sh*tting themselves if that is the level of support against them ???

[Local Drunk]

Looks like Jinger Ben is coming back in time for Christmas.

I'm dreaming of a white(washed) Christmas...

For those who can read between the lines... It may be a "Blue Christmas".

Edited November 1, 2013 by Local Drunk

[Showbags]

It looks like PT and Thaksin are going to trash yet another high season for Thailand.

Good, you get what you deserve.

There are currently a lot of people from every status of Thai society gathering on the streets today and saying, "We don't deserve this".

Obviously not enough and obviously not at the right times.

Too late after the bull escapes.

Thai people are currently getting what they deserve in every manner and it will get worse.

I am so happy they believe in Karma so much as they will not be sitting there wondering 'why and how'.

[animatic]

It looks like PT and Thaksin are going to trash yet another high season for Thailand.

Good, you get what you deserve.

Why do we deserve the country being disrupted, yet again, by the Thaksin clans quest for power?

No one deserves this, least of all the average Thai citizen trying to go about their life without fear.

Clearly this is a big deal because we now see a 'concerted push' starting

to sway minds and build sentiment against the protest and for the plan.

This alway happens before something Thaksin wants his way.

Edited November 1, 2013 by animatic

[ginjag]

Around 6500 opposition supporters rallied !!!

The government must be sh*tting themselves if that is the level of support against them ???

You honestly think the government care ?? They do not give a monkey's or the thing would never have been put forward. Do not think because of these numbers you can smile----YOU aint seen nothing yet. . reminds me of the movie--"Alien verses Predator".

TAT do not come out with the usual, "it will not affect tourism" because you are in for a disaster- happy new year. If you as a government department cannot see the dangers you deserve all you get, along with the stupid misguided voters that put this lot in. I feel sorry for you all, especially now ----- rich in 6 months as the promise was.

[virtualtraveller]

It is done it is irreversible, Puea Thai no longer have the opportunity to climb down to pacify the reds. Point of no return now. See how long before it gets promulgated. Either Thaksin will be home (briefly) for Christmas, or Yingluck will be campaigning for a snap election, or both. This was so blatant by stealth I expect something equally radical in response. There's still a long way to go in a few short weeks before Thaksin can ask for his money back, I bet the govt already have the cheque drafted.

[fab4]

Be nice to hear from all the red shirt / PTP sympathetic posters on here who have, since this amnesty bill idea was proposed by PTP all those months ago, insisted that it wasn't about Thaksin, and that people shouldn't rush to conclusions and should patiently wait.

If you don't feel stupid, you certainly should do. You know who you are.

I don't feel stupid. I felt that they would not do something as stupid. They have, or should I say, certain members of the committee have. If the original bill had gone forward and not been ambushed by the voting committee there would not have been all this commotion.

Likewise all those posters crowing about how upstanding the democrats were in voting against the bill - it'll be nice to hear from them too. How many times now is it that they boycott votes?

Respect to Dr Weng and his colleagues for at least having the guts to abstain rather than boycott the vote altogether. So much for the dems asking the PTP to vote against with them, what vote.

The Democrat Party is as much to blame as any here - whats their response - we'll head to the streets.

Edited November 1, 2013 by fab4

[jbrain]

Posted Today, 08:55

Thai lower house passes political amnesty bill

BANGKOK, November 1, 2013 (AFP) - Thailand's lower house of parliament on Friday passed a controversial political amnesty bill that has sparked mass anti-government protests.

Did they vote during the night, or is this news taken by a reporter who has a time machine ?

[fab4]

If what the Mrs tells me is reported on facebook is correct the Dems walked out after being refused the right to speak.

The third reading was then over and dusted within an hour.

PT democracy strikes again.

Well if the AFP report of 19 hours of heated debate is correct it would appear that the "facebook" page was wrong don't you think?

Edited November 1, 2013 by fab4

[Local Drunk]

Be nice to hear from all the red shirt / PTP sympathetic posters on here who have, since this amnesty bill idea was proposed by PTP all those months ago, insisted that it wasn't about Thaksin, and that people shouldn't rush to conclusions and should patiently wait.

If you don't feel stupid, you certainly should do. You know who you are.

I don't feel stupid. I felt that they would not do something as stupid. They have, or should I say, certain members of the committee have. If the original bill had gone forward and not been ambushed by the voting committee there would not have been all this commotion.

Likewise all those posters crowing about how upstanding the democrats were in voting against the bill - it'll be nice to hear from them too. How many times now is it that they boycott votes?

Respect to Dr Weng and his colleagues for at least having the guts to abstain rather than boycott the vote altogether. So much for the dems asking the PTP to vote against with them, what vote.

The Democrat Party is as much to blame as any here - whats their response - we'll head to the streets.

"Respect to Dr Weng and his colleagues for at least having the guts to abstain rather than boycott the vote altogether."

How is abstaining a show of guts? If they don't like it they should vote against it.

"The Democrat Party is as much to blame as any here - whats their response - we'll head to the streets."

It's not a Democratic issue anymore... It's an issue of what the people of Thailand want, and yes they have every right to take to the streets. The protests are beyond color as I see it.

[rixalex]

Be nice to hear from all the red shirt / PTP sympathetic posters on here who have, since this amnesty bill idea was proposed by PTP all those months ago, insisted that it wasn't about Thaksin, and that people shouldn't rush to conclusions and should patiently wait.

If you don't feel stupid, you certainly should do. You know who you are.

I don't feel stupid. I felt that they would not do something as stupid. They have, or should I say, certain members of the committee have. If the original bill had gone forward and not been ambushed by the voting committee there would not have been all this commotion.

What do you mean, "certain members of the committee"? All PTP MPs, bar four abstentions, voted in favour of the bill.

As for "If the original bill had gone forward and not been ambushed by the voting committee there would not have been all this commotion.". Firstly, the original bill was never intended to go forward. That's what everyone besides PTP sympathisers like yourself, have been saying since that original bill was proposed. And so it has proven. And secondly, it wasn't the voting committee that ambushed things, it was your friend in Dubai, or wherever he is holed up these days, who has orchestrated this. If you can't see that, even now, you really are totally blind.

Likewise all those posters crowing about how upstanding the democrats were in voting against the bill - it'll be nice to hear from them too. How many times now is it that they boycott votes?

Respect to Dr Weng and his colleagues for at least having the guts to abstain rather than boycott the vote altogether. So much for the dems asking the PTP to vote against with them, what vote.

The Democrat Party is as much to blame as any here - whats their response - we'll head to the streets.

As for respecting Dr Weng for abstaining, if he had any guts he would have voted no. His reasoning for not is that he didn't want to side with the Dems. How pathetic is that? If you don't agree with a bill, vote against it, or if you think the vote is a farce and unconstitutional, then boycott it. If he did what the Dems did, it wouldn't mean he was supporting the Dems, or doing what the Dems were doing for the same reasons. He could have had his own reasons for voting no or boycotting. To say, well i'm not going to do that because that is what the Dems are doing, is childish beyond belief, and makes a compete mockery of his support of the red shirts.