Thai CDC to discuss proposals for an amnesty, plus other ideas

[webfact]

CDC to discuss proposals for an amnesty, plus other ideas
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Constitution drafter Anek Laothamatas said yesterday that he proposed that the Constitution Drafting Committee (CDC) consider the amnesty proposal to try to free opposing political parties and achieve national reconciliation.

Anek is chairman of the CDC sub-panel responsible for national reforms and reconciliation. The CDC is due to begin talks with all 10 subcommittees today, he said, noting that his amnesty proposal was one among many.

The amnesty proposal should be put by a neutral party otherwise parties in dispute would not accept it, he said, noting that the military government could not do the job since its opponent would not trust such an idea from them.

"We should not talk too much [on this matter], or it won't succeed. But, it's up to our intention - if we push the amnesty in good faith, I believe we could get it done," Anek told reporters.

Deputy Democrat leader Nipit Intrasombat disagreed, saying that the amnesty proposal was just a "new toy" for the National Legislative Assembly and the National Reform Council. But the idea of an amnesty for political conflicts was not completely new. It was studied for years by many institutions, including King Prajadhipok's Institute, but never implemented, he said.

"An amnesty should come after truth. Unless we study truth, unveil truth and management truth, we will never reach an amnesty," he said.

The proposal aimed to free political protesters from punishment. But there were no such people in jail, Nipit said. Those who were prosecuted were mostly involved in creating violence or committing crimes and they were not qualified to get an amnesty, he said.

Democrat leader Abhisit Vejjajiva also said an amnesty was mostly used as a pretext to whitewash crimes, rather than to free victim of political conflicts.

NLA member Somjet Boonthanom said he agreed with the proposal to have an amnesty but the authorities should bring all parties and stakeholders to build a consensus around the proposal. But he said an amnesty should not be incorporated in the new constitution.

CDC spokesman Khamnoon Sitthisamarn said the CDC would consider all proposals from subpanels but that did not mean the idea would be approved. The CDC has called a meeting today. There are several proposals such as establishing a peace commission, passing an amnesty, and having a directly elected cabinet, he said. The CDC would listen to reasons for all proposals but if members disagree with any proposals, they must be dumped, he said.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/CDC-to-discuss-proposals-for-an-amnesty-plus-other-30248977.html


-- The Nation 2014-12-02

[Mango Bob]

I can't believe these idiots are talking about an amnesty after all the shit that has gone on here. What the hell is wrong with these people?

[NongKhaiKid]

Politicians, officials etc will never completely discard the idea of amnesties as they never know when they themselves might need one.

[siampolee]

A price has to be or will be paid so as to ensure national stability.

This country is still on the brink and a wrong step could send it over the top into an abyss of hate and violence.

Whilst I am not in favour of an amnesty, I do feel if a national reconciliation is to be achieved the road taken cannot be a direct route.

[chainarong]

What you are proposing Anek is that you support criminals and they can be let off the hook by an Amnesty , all you are doing is going backwards to pre Coup times, the people decided the last time, obviously you are not a student of history , it has a habit of repeating itself , wake up Anek your country needs types like you like a hole in the head.

[borisloosebrain]

Someone's lost their balls.

[whybother]

The only amnesty that will be generally accepted is one that only includes people that were arrested "for being there".

Any amnesties for people committing what would be crimes at any time (ie not just a crime during martial law etc) would not be widely accepted and amnesties for any leaders would be widely rejected.

[Thailand]

Deals within deals!

[Mudlover]

"We should not talk too much [on this matter], or it won't succeed...."

I'd say that's a common approach to decision-making here.

[worgeordie]

Maybe for the pawns,who blindly followed the instigators behind all the

problems ,destruction,and deaths,the leaders on either side need to pay

and no amnesties should be offered to them,only prison terms and justice

will suffice.

regards Worgeordie

[Suffinator]

A complete and utter farce ... TIT ...

[rickirs]

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I can't believe these idiots are talking about an amnesty after all the shit that has gone on here. What the hell is wrong with these people?

Maybe there is nothing wrong with these people. If the Junta can get amensty for abolishing the constitution and overthrowing the government, allowing political amnesty for the sake of national reconciliation wouldn't seem unreasonable. But whatever language the CDC should select for the constitution, the NCPO has the ultimate power to allow what the constitution will be. And that will depend on the extent that the NCPO can sustain its power through future changes in government leadership.

[rickirs]

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The only amnesty that will be generally accepted is one that only includes people that were arrested "for being there".

Any amnesties for people committing what would be crimes at any time (ie not just a crime during martial law etc) would not be widely accepted and amnesties for any leaders would be widely rejected.

Isn't amnesty usually associated with the commission of a crime? An arrest or even an indictment does not mean guilt of a crime. Although with Thailand's judicial system, arrest can be almost the same as being convicted as far as imprisonment is concerned, up to 84 days without bail or even an indictment.

[whybother]

The only amnesty that will be generally accepted is one that only includes people that were arrested "for being there".

Any amnesties for people committing what would be crimes at any time (ie not just a crime during martial law etc) would not be widely accepted and amnesties for any leaders would be widely rejected.

Isn't amnesty usually associated with the commission of a crime? An arrest or even an indictment does not mean guilt of a crime. Although with Thailand's judicial system, arrest can be almost the same as being convicted as far as imprisonment is concerned, up to 84 days without bail or even an indictment.

The people that were arrested "for being there" were committing a crime under the "state of emergency" laws at the time.

The assumption would be that they have either been convicted and fined or jailed or their court cases are outstanding.

An amnesty would wipe the convictions or end any ongoing court cases.

[winstonc]

give everyone amnesty at a financial cost pay everything back that was stolen and start again...and again..

[Strangebrew]

Well they got to cover there misdeed's besides the bribes paid were huge.

[Alwyn]

That's put the cat amongst the pigeons - not in Thailand but here on TV!!

[MaxLee]

Money and corruption is the Law, simple as that....

[MobileContent]

I wonder when the monk from Surat Thani comes back to Bangkok to block the road if he hears that the new government talks about amnesty.

Any way joke aside, nothing comes out of this whole issue.