Thai PM defends amnesty bill in face of protests

BANGKOK, November 5, 2013 (AFP) - Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra on Tuesday defended a controversial political amnesty bill that has sparked mass anti-government protests, urging the country to "forgive" after years of civil strife.

Opponents fear the legislation would allow fugitive former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra -- Yingluck's brother -- to return from self-imposed exile.

Yingluck said the amnesty was needed to reunite the country after years of turmoil culminating in a bloody crackdown by the previous government on pro-Thaksin "Red Shirt" protests in 2010 that left dozens of civilians dead.

"Since this government took power it has focused on reconciliation," she said in a nationally televised address.

"An amnesty is not about forgetting our painful lessons but about learning so it does not happen again to our young generation," she said. "If people learn how to forgive, the country will move forward."

There have been daily demonstrations in Bangkok since parliament began debating the bill last week.

More than 10,000 protesters marched through the capital on Monday, seeking to raise pressure on Yingluck's government over the controversial bill. Small rallies were also held in several provincial towns.

The legislation has even angered some Red Shirts who want justice for the killing of more than 90 protesters on the streets of Bangkok in 2010.

Rights groups have warned the amnesty would "whitewash" past abuses.

Seven years after he was toppled by royalist generals in a bloodless coup, Thaksin remains a hugely divisive figure in Thailand.

The former telecoms tycoon lives in Dubai to avoid prison for a corruption conviction imposed in his absence in 2008 that he contends was politically motivated.

As well as pardoning people involved in political protests since 2004, the amnesty would cover those accused of crimes by organisations set up after the 2006 coup, such as Thaksin who was targeted by an anti-corruption panel.

The amnesty bill was passed by the lower house on Friday and is due to be debated in the Senate next week.

"I urge all senators to fully consider this bill on the grounds of reconciliation. Whatever the Senate decides -- if it rejects or amends it -- I believe MPs from the lower house will reasonably accept it in line with the parliamentary process," Yingluck said.

Even if the Senate rejects the bill, the lower house can pass the legislation and send it to the king for approval after a delay of 180 days.


-- (c) Copyright AFP 2013-11-05

""Since this government took power it has focused on reconciliation," she said in a nationally televised address."

That's why Thaksin got a new passport even while offices of the MoFA were flooded and a larger part of the Thai nation was otherwise occupied (in a few meters of water).

hey Yingluck ... look out the window ... does that protest loo like a this bill will reunite the country?

hey Yingluck ... ask the red shirts will reunite the country

Thai PM defends amnesty bill in face of protests

Everyone else is wrong and I am right.

It's me who is sane and everyone else is insane.

I have never felt so alone.

she said. "If people learn how to forgive, the country will move forward."

No my dear, if and when people learn that they can't expect to be whitewashed of their crimes and they'll face punishment for them THEN the country will move forward.

"Even if the Senate rejects the bill, the lower house can pass the legislation and send it to the king for approval after a delay of 180 days."

So this is the worst. The senate reject the bill. PTP refuse to make any amendments and after 180 days can still submit for approval ?

If this is indeed the process then no wonder she's happy to abide by the senate decision. She doesn't have to care what it is. Worst scenario wait 6 months and submit anyway.

PTP will completely ignore the protests - all irrelevant to them.

A post bringing HM the King into the discussion has been removed. There is to be No Discussion Of The Monarchy In Political Context

Then after all the drama and delays, the bill will come back signed or rejected. Either way, one of the two groups will have eggs all over their faces.

Then, repeat steps drama one through drama twelve.

Edith Bunker (all in the family) showed more savy/intelligance than the PM. She knew when the head of her family was wrong, kept her mouth shut and found the fortitude to do the right thing and still keep the family unit functioning, without upsetting the neighborhood..

Some people have that knack in life, but this lady does not seem to realize that her/brothers ideas and programs, since she took office, have had a common result, failure. The brazen attachment to the orginal proposal has upset millions of people, professional organizations, etc This coupled with the attempt/success to brow beat opponents while giveing special attention to select groups and more importantly, the convicted felon brother, via family and cronies biased actions.

Yingluck said the amnesty was needed to reunite the country after years of turmoil culminating in a bloody crackdown by the previous government on pro-Thaksin "Red Shirt" protests in 2010 that left dozens of civilians dead.

seems to me that the years of turmoil did not culminate with the red shirt failed coup. It just increased them.

some Minister of Defense she turned out to be did not even mention her dead soldiers.

More like a minister of offence.

The word loosely used in this context is forgiven , how can you forgive and not forget the period of leadership from Thaskin Shinawatra basking in the glory of a near totalitarian dictatorship , who can forgive the corruption ,the media control, the atrocities committed in the north, disguised as ,drug control and the Muslim community in the South , the burning of a city block, the intimidation tactic's from the PTP red shirt supporters, who can forgive the dishonesty spoken by this man ,who can forget the UN inquiry into this mans humanitarian abuse, now in limbo , to be this persons sister ,one should be ashamed to call him brother. Forgive , you've gotta be joking.

Anyone who has been here for any length of time, especially since the 2006 coup, knows what's going on with this amnesty bill. It has only one person in mind to grant amnesty to. Mr. T. This young lady is as clueless or conniving as Sen. Pelosi in the US. Maybe a bunch of both.

Anyone who has been here for any length of time, especially since the 2006 coup, knows what's going on with this amnesty bill. It has only one person in mind to grant amnesty to. Mr. T. This young lady is as clueless or conniving as Sen. Pelosi in the US. Maybe a bunch of both.

I am leaning towards clueless.

Not enough gray matter to be conniving.

Her private Mantra is thank Buddha for skype.

Edith Bunker (all in the family) showed more savy/intelligance than the PM. She knew when the head of her family was wrong, kept her mouth shut and found the fortitude to do the right thing and still keep the family unit functioning, without upsetting the neighborhood..

Some people have that knack in life, but this lady does not seem to realize that her/brothers ideas and programs, since she took office, have had a common result, failure. The brazen attachment to the orginal proposal has upset millions of people, professional organizations, etc This coupled with the attempt/success to brow beat opponents while giveing special attention to select groups and more importantly, the convicted felon brother, via family and cronies biased actions.

Even comparing her to Meathead or Sally would insult the both of them!

But Edith Bunker did not have an evil, heartless, lying, psychopathic dictator for a brother.