Ruling Pheu Thai Party throws the towel

[webfact]

Ruling Pheu Thai Party throws the towel
By English News



BANGKOK, Nov 7 – The ruling Pheu Thai Party declared a total retreat with a promise to withdraw six pending bills related to the proposed amnesty and reconciliation measures from Parliament.

Amnuay Klangpa, chief of government whips, told a news conference that the whips resolved to pull out all six pieces of legislation, including five bills on national reconciliation separately proposed by former coup leader Sonthi Boonyaratglin, Niyom Vorapanya, Samart Kaewmeechai, Piraphan Palusuk and Nattawut Saikua.

The sixth bill, sponsored by Nikom Vorapanya, seeks to grant amnesty to wrongdoers in political protests and rallies.

He said the whips’ decision was based on the demand of the majority of the people but the amnesty bill which was approved in the final reading by the Lower House and pending the Upper House’s debate next Monday could not be withdrawn.

“We have to wait for the Senate’s decision. If the Senate votes it down, the Lower House has to wait for 180 days before deciding on its next move. It will not happen in this parliamentary session,” he said.

The present session will tentatively end later this month.

Prompong Nopparit, Pheu Thai spokesman, confirmed that the ruling party would not vote for the bill in case it is rejected by the Senate and sent back to the House of Representatives.

One government whip, Cholanan Srikaew, said the six sponsors of the amnesty and reconciliation bills will seek to withdraw their draft legislation in the Lower House session next Wednesday.

Charoen Chankomol, House deputy speaker, will hold talks with sponsors of the six bills tomorrow to discuss their action in the House next Wednesday. (MCOT online news)


-- TNA 2013-11-07

[Thai at Heart]

What the hell is going on?

[jdinasia]

rallies in BKK are getting VERY large, but worse for PTP is that the students across the country are getting involved. PTP cannot risk the negative publicity since so many red shirts have split from them. Look at the pictures of Democracy momument last night and compare them to the last student uprising.

[MaiChai]

This is a cunning plan. They don't need all those other bills since one has succeeded. It looks like they are backing down but they are not. This government has already tricked once; would you trust them again?

[webfact]

Govt agrees to withdraw bill - if rejected by Senate
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- THE YINGLUCK government has agreed to withdraw the amnesty bill should the Senate veto the move, amid growing civic pressure, which has paralysed traffic in some parts of Bangkok and upcountry.

Pheu Thai Party secretary-general Phumtham Wechayachai announced yesterday that if the Senate, which convenes on Monday, kills the bill, the Pheu Thai-led government will not seek to make any revision to the bill and resubmit it. Moreover, it will also withdraw all six amnesty draft bills.

"The government is willing to heed public opinion," he said at the press conference yesterday.

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra said later that if the Senate votes against the amnesty bill, the government would not attempt to revive it during the rest of its term. She was in Chanthaburi on a trip.

Public dissent is intensifying against the amnesty bill. Ahead of the Senate's vetting on Monday, the private sector is planning to stage a big rally on Silom Road again today. The Democrat-led protesters in Rajdamnoen Avenue planned to cover more road space. Yesterday, former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra issued a statement, saying that that he respected different opinions of Thais "but I cannot accept the use of false information to distort the issue and frame me and my family".

Before the Pheu Thai announcement, the opposition Democrat Party had suggested revision of the bill while some businessmen have called for scrapping of the bill.

Earlier in the day, chief opposition whip Jurin Laksanawisit said the government should make it clear that it would not revive the amnesty debate. He urged Yingluck to reaffirm that the government would not introduce any draft on amnesty and that it would not grant political clemency by issuing an executive decree.

A source from the Democrat Party, who asked not to be named, said he believed the ruling Pheu Thai Party had a strategy. They wanted to convey to intellectuals and businessmen who are also protesting against the bill that the Democrats had an agenda to overthrow the government, the source said.

He said the government estimated that many of the anti-bill protesters would stop rallying after Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra signalled to the Senate to reject the bill. However, the strategy failed because the PM's retreat seemed to be too late.

"We had to monitor the government action and change our plan every two to three hours. We wanted to confirm to our protesters that we were a strong force that could make the government withdraw the bill," the source said.

He said the key word, which the Democrats would communicate to demonstrators, is that people could not trust the Senate and the government, until the six amnesty drafts in the House are out of Parliament.

Another Democrat source said Suthep and his fellow-protest leaders would not be happy if the Dharma Army joined the Democrats' Rajdamnoen rally site. He said it would be better to fight separately. Moreover, their aims were different.

Suthep turned down a request from Khunying Kalaya Sophonpanich, who asked if speakers from Dharma Army could take the Rajdamnoen stage. Suthep feared that with the Dharma Army's aim to bring down the government, the Democrat Party might face a party dissolution case because of that.

Before the announcement, a number of coalition and opposition MPs made a bipartisan stand, urging the Senate to revise the amnesty bill instead of killing it. The senators should vote to pass the first reading of the bill so that they could vet and remove contentious amnesty provisions, Democrat MP Alongkorn Ponlaboot said.

The other options include an outright rejection of the bill but this would allow the House to reactivate the amnesty debate in 180 days.

"Should the Senate vote for the bill's first reading, it would have the opportunity to fix the bill," Alongkorn said, calling for the adoption of the original draft designed to absolve protesters only.

Pheu Thai MP Chavalit Wichayasuthi said he agreed with Alongkorn's proposal.

Revising the bill instead of discarding it would mean the legislative procedures for amnesty would not be in vain, he said.

Pheu Thai MP Samart Kaewmechai said the bill should be salvaged by allowing the upper chamber to revise controversial provisions as deemed necessary.

"Defeating the bill would not result in ending the differences over amnesty, hence revising the bill to suit society is a better option," he said.

He reminded the senators that should they defeat the bill, the House would still be obliged to reactivate the amnesty debate in six months as per the Constitution.

Jurin said sponsors of the six remaining bills related to political clemency should withdraw them in order to show good faith for ending the amnesty push once and for all.


-- The Nation 2013-11-07

[klubex99]

PTP are rightly sensing an 'end of days'.

They are now squirming like rabbits in headlights.

They seem to be desperately looking for a way to get the people off the streets. I think it is the beginning of the end, and maybe this political Armageddon that was forecast is actually playing out.

[jdinasia]

Until the senate rejects the bill the rallies will continue. After that it will likely only be Chamlong's fringe that remains.

[EricBerg]

The missunderstood fugitive will no doubt have another card up his sleeve. Have to wait and see. But in the longer run he's running out of options.

[NongKhaiKid]

' Total Retreat ', ' Throws in the Towel ' etc. and all this about a party which is led by a man who cannot spell the word ' lose '.

Isn't there something about ' nothing more dangerous than a wounded animal ' ?

[ChrisY1]

Obviously, PT are attempting to be cunning here....but it's so blatently, a sneaky and immature move.

Now, given the scale of protests country wide against the amnesty bill, the people have shown thier distrust in this government...including many of the mob mentality red army.....

The bill must be withdrawn entirely......and not wait for the 180 days to pass!

[ramrod711]

"but I cannot accept the use of false information to distort the issue and frame me and my family".

Congratulations to the Thai people that went out to demonstrate against this bill, which was nothing less than an assault on law and order. The problem is that the man from afar "cannot accept" defeat and is willing to drag this country and it's people through the muck over and over again, until he gets his way.

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra said later that if the Senate votes against the amnesty bill, the government would not attempt to revive it during the rest of its term.

For the rest of this term means, we know we cannot get reelected unless we back off and then retable the bill after we do, but make no mistake, my first priority is to bring my brother home.

[soi41]

PT listening to the people??

The word is, that a cornerstone family in Thai society, has warned them. Enough is enough!!

[Katipo]

Pull the bill before all hell breaks loose, and come back to fight another day. This won't be the end of it, the man is a meglomaniac with little regard to others.

PTP didn't stop because they were worried about the damage to the country, they stopped because they saw their own support eroding.

[Neilly]

Before the announcement, a number of coalition and opposition MPs made a bipartisan stand, urging the Senate to revise the amnesty bill instead of killing it. The senators should vote to pass the first reading of the bill so that they could vet and remove contentious amnesty provisions, Democrat MP Alongkorn Ponlaboot said.

I like the sound of that ...but I have a sneaky suspicion the Man in Dubai wouldn't

[Pib]

What the hell is going on?

Maybe Khun Thaksin is realizing if he pushes to hard more people, even those sympathetic to him, will think he's not worth the conflict and problems caused to the country. Maybe time just to be quite for a while, disappear off the radar screen for a while, etc., which will be hard for him to do and also risky as he really don't want more people to forget about him. Every additional day he can't return to the country (without being arrested at the airport) makes it less likely he'll ever be able to return a free man as he will continue to fade in the memory of people and lose support...especially the younger generation which is the future of Thailand.

[asdecas]

"Ruling Pheu Thai Party throws the towel"

Oh well, they almost got the idiom right.

[klauskunkel]

oh, oh, Yingluck is going to cry again...

[Publicus]

For the first time in all of this and after all of this, it's actually looking like Thaksin can't ever come back.

.

[bigbamboo]

With support fading fast only that famous telegraph pole can save the day now.

[ratcatcher]

"Ruling Pheu Thai Party throws the towel"

Oh well, they almost got the idiom right.

Wait until you read :"Thaksin spots the dummy"

[GrantSmith]

For the rest of this term means, we know we cannot get reelected unless we back off and then retable the bill after we do, but make no mistake, my first priority is to bring my brother home.

Nail meet head...

The question is; Will Somchai Citizen work this out?

I'll wager 500 baht he can be persuaded to say otherwise...

[slapout]

Still too many ifs and maybe for anyone to claim victory. The government certainly has not conceded defeat, if the reports are factual. How many of the appointed senators are bound to attempt to push the bill through? How many of those elected can be convienced to do a little horse trading for a position, down the road? Look at the present cabinet and appointed positions and tell me they are there due to their qualifications for the job.

All of the unkept promises seem to have been forgotten by many, including those making more promises, but with a qualified, "If" thrown in. Most of us and even many Thai's admit to not understanding the reasoning behind many of the statements and actions displayed by the normal Thai, much less those who appear to have a self given 'savior' ego.

[webfact]

UPDATE:
PM says administration will not bring back amnesty law if it is not passed

BANGKOK, 7 November 2013 (NNT) – Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra affirmed on Wednesday the current administration will not revisit the amnesty bill if the Senate does not pass it into law, and neither will it try to enact a similar law in the form of a decree.

According to Ms. Yingluck, it is the will of the government to ensure that various agendas reflect the demands of the public, and the administration will certainly not use its House majority to force the passing of the law against their feelings. She stressed that the administration will accept the Senate's decision on whether or not to pass the bill into law, and that her address to the nation on Tuesday has been made with the aim of fostering reconciliation.

The prime minister, however, noted that the government cannot immediately revoke the bills being considered in the House of Representatives, as demanded by some parties, because the bills were proposed by MPs, not the administration.

Ms. Yingluck added she would like to ask the groups still protesting against the bill to refrain from closing traffic lanes, and to express their views while adhering to the law.


-- NNT 2013-11-07

[Baerboxer]

Remember this is a government that says its o.k. to tell "little white lies" to keep the people happy and for the good of the country.

Would you trust anything Thaksin, Yinggy, the Shin clan or their cronies say ?

[tingtongteesood]

If a hungry tiger says 'I promise I won't eat you', would you believe it ? Same same.....This one failed but there will be another attempt and in 6 months this WILL be sent for royal approval regardless of what the people think by any means necessary. Do not take your eyes off these slippery snakes for a moment....

[drdoom6996]

What the hell is going on?

I expect they are telling lies to keep the voting public calm, and the people happy, you know like Kitterak.

[Thaddeus]

BANGKOK, 7 November 2013 (NNT) – Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra affirmed on Wednesday the current administration will not revisit the amnesty bill if the Senate does not pass it into law, and neither will it try to enact a similar law in the form of a decree.

Possible translation.

Current admin will not revisit the amnesty bill - means they will not change a single word of it.

and neither will it try to enact a similar law in the form of a decree - don't need to, just hang on to the bill they have.

Then just wait until everyone thinks it's over and starts looking the other way.

The Senate needs to hand them back a revised version to kill it, one that mimics the original one before it was tampered with.

Edited November 7, 2013 by Thaddeus

[h90]

BANGKOK, 7 November 2013 (NNT) – Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra affirmed on Wednesday the current administration will not revisit the amnesty bill if the Senate does not pass it into law, and neither will it try to enact a similar law in the form of a decree.

Possible translation.

Current admin will not revisit the amnesty bill - means they will not change a single word of it.

and neither will it try to enact a similar law in the form of a decree - don't need to, just hang on to the bill they have.

Then just wait until everyone thinks it's over and starts looking the other way.

The Senate needs to hand them back a revised version to kill it, one that mimics the original one before it was tampered with.

I more think they will drop the amnesty bill and come in 2 month with an reconciliation bill, or freedom and prosperity bill or whatever creative name, with slightly changed content. Or with a couple of different smaller laws (Salami tactics).

Or they drop it, restart it when people went home, drop it, restart it when people went home in the hope that people get boring of it.

[whybother]

UPDATE:

PM says administration will not bring back amnesty law if it is not passed

BANGKOK, 7 November 2013 (NNT) – Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra affirmed on Wednesday the current administration will not revisit the amnesty bill if the Senate does not pass it into law, and neither will it try to enact a similar law in the form of a decree.

According to Ms. Yingluck, it is the will of the government to ensure that various agendas reflect the demands of the public, and the administration will certainly not use its House majority to force the passing of the law against their feelings. She stressed that the administration will accept the Senate's decision on whether or not to pass the bill into law, and that her address to the nation on Tuesday has been made with the aim of fostering reconciliation.

The prime minister, however, noted that the government cannot immediately revoke the bills being considered in the House of Representatives, as demanded by some parties, because the bills were proposed by MPs, not the administration.

Ms. Yingluck added she would like to ask the groups still protesting against the bill to refrain from closing traffic lanes, and to express their views while adhering to the law.

-- NNT 2013-11-07

So they can tell MPs what to vote for, but they can't tell MPs to withdraw bills.

[tonneke breda]

Prompong Nopparit, Pheu Thai spokesman, confirmed that the ruling party would not vote for the bill in case it is rejected by the Senate and sent back to the House of Representatives.

I'm getting confused, Yinluck calling for getting everything done according to law, while the PT spokesman is also Thaksin's legal advisor.

​I'm I the only one thinking this is a bit fishy….