Political prisoners can be released right away: Paiboon
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- PRIME MINISTER General Prayut Chan-o-cha's government should not wait until the new charter comes into effect before pardoning and releasing hundreds of political prisoners as this can be done right away, Constitution Drafting Committee member Paiboon Nititawan said yesterday.

He explained that this move would also open the door to reconciliation. Paiboon said he supports the idea, which was first floated by Anek Laothamatas, chairman of the National Reform Council's committee on studies of national reconciliation.

He pointed out that there are close to 1,000 members of the red-shirt United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship who are either facing charges or are behind bars. At least 100 members of the People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) are also in the same predicament, he said.

Paiboon added that many political prisoners also face terrorism or sedition charges and they should definitely be considered for amnesty.

"I think even those charged with terrorism should be granted amnesty. Members of the People's Alliance for Democracy [PAD] and PDRC have also been charged with sedition, and if action is to be taken it should be fair to all sides," Paiboon added.

However, he said, those convicted on murder, corruption, arson or lese majeste charges should not be considered.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/Political-prisoners-can-be-released-right-away-Pai-30256307.html

-- The Nation 2015-03-19

That has to be the most stupid idea ever!!

Release terrorist-suspects in the name of reconciliation??

And keep LM suspects behind bars??

Strange priorities!!

Many of them are only charged as-yet, and not yet convicted, so their cases should proceed in order to determine their guilt, or enable them to show their innocence.

But the little-guys, who've actually served some time in jail, might perhaps be considered for early-release, after all their leaders don't ever spend much time inside, but are usually free to continue their activities, even after being convicted ! Some even become MPs or Ministers !

How do they release political prisoners if they don't exist as stated by officials (was it a Thai Ambassador?) before?

And only 2 weeks ago the Foriegn Minister mentioned in response to a press release from the US, that there were no political prisoners being held in Thailand.........

Inane immature comments that only exacerbate the mistrust other countries towards Thailand.

How do they release political prisoners if they don't exist as stated by officials (was it a Thai Ambassador?) before?

Nice if violence for a colourfull organization can get you labelled political prisoner or have charges labelled as being political only.

So, now we know why every arrest of the opposition is tagged with an LM charge.

Taken them months to figure this out.

How can we get all our gun carrying, bomb making people out.

But keep all their gun carrying ,bomb making people in ?

It will possibly add up to 100 pdrc released immediately.

And 50 ptp released at some point.

Sometimes I think that the different departments within the Junta don't communicate very well with each other, not even 2 weeks ago they categorically stated there are NO political prisoners in Thailand.

Now they're stating the ones have can be released immediately?

It's no wonder the sceptical farangs here just don't believe much of what comes from their mouthes, it's got nothing to do with " supporting" one side or the other, they're both losers anyways, it's about wondering what is the truth and what isn't.

So, now we know why every arrest of the opposition is tagged with an LM charge.

Taken them months to figure this out.

How can we get all our gun carrying, bomb making people out.

But keep all their gun carrying ,bomb making people in ?

It will possibly add up to 100 pdrc released immediately.

And 50 ptp released at some point.

Release those on terrorism charges, but lock up those on LM charges. Can't quite see the logic there personally. But ohh well, TIT

And only 2 weeks ago the Foriegn Minister mentioned in response to a press release from the US, that there were no political prisoners being held in Thailand.........

Inane immature comments that only exacerbate the mistrust other countries towards Thailand.

Just goes to show the utter bullcrap this junta is trying to feed to the world and they think the world will believe them. This is one reason this military junta will never be accepted as a legit government. The Junta is being laughed at.

"Political prisoner", an intellectual compelled to act due to his morality and his belief in doing the correct thing. Contrast that to the red thugs that were bombing, shooting and creating mayhem for payment, so that their tin pot God could worm his way back, rape the buds of democracy, steal many more billions, and keep the countries vulnerable and poor in serfdom for decades more. Not political prisoners are they, merely guns for hire, and daft ones at that.

The irony of some of the responses to the OP is that the same option was available to the Yingluck Government. The perception of the Thai people (who I chose to associate with) is that the reason why the releases did not happen under Yingluck was that these people were been held hostage to ensure that the Shin family were given amnesty even for events that post dated the demonstrations/riots. The anger that some of these families felt is what led them to join on line campaigns and even attend some of the early demonstrations against the Amnesty Bill. The reason why they existed the demonstrations was the co-option of the campaign by the PRDC.

I believe that the Shin Family Inc would not be happy to see the proposed release (of those who were persuaded to take part in the demonistrations and caughtup with the plans of the overlords released under the proposal in the OP) because it would prove to more of the former supporters that they were used and abused.

Violence is not the way to make political changes and will only lead to ongoing barriers to a just society - however Thailand is caught in the trap of its own history. To get out of this trap will cause pain to many people because many people consider themselves to be the victims of the political situations of the last 10 years. What Thailand needs is not a politician or a general - it needs a statesman (who may emerge from either of those groups or some where else).

That has to be the most stupid idea ever!!

Release terrorist-suspects in the name of reconciliation??

And keep LM suspects behind bars??

Strange priorities!!

yes, strange priorities, but that is the nature of LM.

If he were to propose the release of LM prisoners, some whacko could accuse him of LM.

See how that works?

He pointed out that there are close to 1,000 members of the red-shirt United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship who are either facing charges or are behind bars. At least 100 members of the People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) are also in the same predicament, he said.

I recall a dutch poster claiming that there were not "hundreds" of political prisoners in Thailand... although he didn't have any facts to back up that claim...