Thai reconciliation: Amnesty option is 'based on offences, not individuals'

[webfact]

Amnesty option is 'based on offences, not individuals'
KHANITTHA THEPPHAJORN,
KASAMAKORN CHANWANPEN
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- A MEMBER of the committee studying reconciliation reiterated yesterday that conditions set for amnesty would be based on offences, not on any particular individual, such as fugitive former PM Thaksin Shinawatra.

Buntoon Srethasirote was responding to inquiries from the press after the committee resubmitted its revised report to the National Reform Council (NRC) for endorsement on Tuesday. The committee stood firm on three key conditions for political leaders who are eligible for amnesty, and would only cover those who are not involved in violations concerning serious human rights offences, lese majeste and corruption. Those who have fled the country will have the right to take a stand if he or she believes they meet the criteria.

Thaksin was sentenced to two years in jail in 2008 for conflict of interest in the Ratchadaphisek land case, but he fled the country.

"If Thaksin Shinawatra thinks he meets those conditions, he can enter the amnesty process like others," Buntoon said.

He added that the committee would have another seven days to adjust the report as suggested by NRC members at the meeting on Tuesday, during which the report was endorsed with a 162:5 vote. The report will be submitted to NRC chief Thienchay Kiranandana, who will then forward it to the government for implementation.

Some reformers have suggested that the committee come up with measures directly targeting politicians that they view as the most problematic parties in the conflict. They also pointed out that reconciliation may not succeed if the root of the problem involving these politicians is not tackled.

Some reformers as well as committee members agree that the seed of the national divide lies with the politicians, not the people.

Hence, it is necessary for politicians to reconcile first, they said.

"Prof Anek [Laothamatas]'s report has been crafted well, but the problem is that those fighting are not the people. They are the people in Parliament - they are politicians," NRC member Wanchai Sornsiri said.

"The problem [the country's] facing here is that the winners are holding on too tight to their power, while the losers are trying to take down these winners. And both these sides are dragging the people supporting them into the battle," he added.

He also pointed out that the committee did not really offer specific measures covering politicians' problems, so it may not be able to solve the conflict.

Many NRC members also agreed in the meeting that they were aware of the committee's good intentions when they were writing the report, however, they said, they were not sure if the plan would bring peace.

"Reconciliation cannot be achieved through law or other approaches. In the report, I see there are many approaches, but no tangible steps forward," NRC member Seri Suwanpanon said, adding that amnesty might not be the solution either because many will not be satisfied to see wrongdoers get away.

Other NRC members agreed, adding that all sides need to be committed to reconciliation, otherwise the plan would not work.

"Reconciliation is the most important thing. Before Constitution and election, we have to reconcile. If not, [we] will just backtrack to the same old cycle," NRC member Niran Pantharakit said, adding that people would take to the streets again if an election was held before reconciliation had been completed.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/Amnesty-option-is-based-on-offences-not-individual-30265027.html


-- The Nation 2015-07-23

[bangkokfrog]

In most countries, benefiting from a non-disclosed conflict of interest while in office would be regarded as corruption. Not sure about Thai law, though.

[smedly]

so they have concluded that reconciliation = amnesty, how flawed that thinking was before and still is, total nonsense

This country is lost and always will be unfortunately

[Wilsonandson]

The committee stood firm on three key conditions for political leaders who are eligible for amnesty, and would only cover those who are not involved in violations concerning serious human rights offences, lese majeste and corruption.

Oh well, looks like Dubai is home sweet home Thaksin. But what about the serious human rights offences being committed presently? Pot calling the kettle black.

[ramrod711]

In most countries, benefiting from a non-disclosed conflict of interest while in office would be regarded as corruption. Not sure about Thai law, though.

How about a Prime Minister arranging a government loan so that a foreign government can buy products from his family held company? Sounds like conflict of interest to me, but hey, what do I know? Changing the tax laws just days before you sell your company to a foreign company, thus avoiding paying any taxes, has a bit of a taste of conflict of interest as well. But, these transactions were all done for the benefit of the people of Issan......right?

[BSJ]

They really have trouble with legal issues don't they! Is it because the wrong decision could lead to serious consequences down the road? Probably.

You can take the fugitive ex-PM out of the country buy you can't take the corruption out of a 3rd world country!

[halloween]

IIRC a few days ago a PTP mouth suggested amnesty for all but violent offenders. Through the cannon fodder to the wolves and let the order givers go free.

[phoenixdoglover]

Amnesty could be an outcome of reconciliation. But reconciliation comes first.

The divide is not just between politicians. A usurping army, and a corrupt police force that bleeds the people are two additional and piwerful forces that are not reconciled to civil society.

Reconciliation is a process, most often mediated, that builds trust between factions.

Many of the factions in my view are not ready for reconciliation. They are still maneuvering for advantage and power.

I blame the current government and all past ones. At some point those in power have to sponsor the reconciliation process and subvert their own power.

A snowball's chance in hell at the moment.

[tbthailand]

Some reformers as well as committee members agree that the seed of the national divide lies with the politicians, not the people.

historically, the elite and the generals have always blamed (corrupt) politicians for the country's problems in a thinly-veiled attempt to hide their own culpability.

[EnglishJohn]

so they have concluded that reconciliation = amnesty, how flawed that thinking was before and still is, total nonsense

This country is lost and always will be unfortunately

Are you really unable to appreciate the difference between this and what Peu-Thai tried to do ?.

A lot of protestors (especially in 2010) were just innocent, gullible victims who didn't even realise how they were being used as human targets by someone who wanted a bloodbath. It all seemed like good fun with free food and party atmosphere - right up until the MIB started shooting.

And then they were just abandoned by those same people. They would have been released under Pheu-Thai if a certain someone hadn't decided his amnesty was far more important than theirs.

[Lupatria]

…option is 'based on offences, not individuals'

Yeah, the justice system here is famous for that in a country where poor old folks were sentenced to long jail terms for picking mushrooms or selling DVD’s they found in the trash bin, while rich murderers get out on bail until the case is forgotten.

[oneday]

"...The problem [the country's] facing here is that the winners are holding on too tight to their power, while the losers are trying to take down these winners. And both these sides are dragging the people supporting them into the battle," he added..."

A pretty darn good summary of this country's crippling affliction.

[FangFerang]

Like watching a train wreck.

[brewsterbudgen]

I guess links to New Mandala are not allowed?

[EnglishJohn]

Some reformers as well as committee members agree that the seed of the national divide lies with the politicians, not the people.

historically, the elite and the generals have always blamed (corrupt) politicians for the country's problems in a thinly-veiled attempt to hide their own culpability.

In your supreme ignorance, you are clearly unable to see how the Army had nothing at all to do with the running of the country right up until protestors were getting murdered and the police were letting the terrorists escape through 'checkpoints'. Prior to that it was ALL handled by politicians.

Still : don't let truth get in the way of the rhetoric you have been programmed with. None of your friends do.

Who are these 'elite' anyway ?. Anybody from Bangkok who has more money than you ?.

[brewsterbudgen]

Some reformers as well as committee members agree that the seed of the national divide lies with the politicians, not the people.

historically, the elite and the generals have always blamed (corrupt) politicians for the country's problems in a thinly-veiled attempt to hide their own culpability.

In your supreme ignorance, you are clearly unable to see how the Army had nothing at all to do with the running of the country right up until protestors were getting murdered and the police were letting the terrorists escape through 'checkpoints'. Prior to that it was ALL handled by politicians.

Still : don't let truth get in the way of the rhetoric you have been programmed with. None of your friends do.

Who are these 'elite' anyway ?. Anybody from Bangkok who has more money than you ?.

You might want to do a little background reading yourself if you really believe this! A shame, but understandable, that we can't post links here!

[tbthailand]

Some reformers as well as committee members agree that the seed of the national divide lies with the politicians, not the people.

historically, the elite and the generals have always blamed (corrupt) politicians for the country's problems in a thinly-veiled attempt to hide their own culpability.

In your supreme ignorance, you are clearly unable to see how the Army had nothing at all to do with the running of the country right up until protestors were getting murdered and the police were letting the terrorists escape through 'checkpoints'. Prior to that it was ALL handled by politicians.

Still : don't let truth get in the way of the rhetoric you have been programmed with. None of your friends do.

Who are these 'elite' anyway ?. Anybody from Bangkok who has more money than you ?.

in my "supreme ignorance" as you put it, I take the long view...

... the military have been running this country more or less without pause since 1932.... And military governments have been directly in power for more than 45 of the last 80-some years....

And the military/elite alliance in Thailand has been raping running the country as a de-facto power-block since the mid-50's....

Even Thaksin understood where the real power was and he tried (unsuccessfully) to make sure that the balance of the generals were on his side. BTW, have you never asked yourself why there was military-on-military violence during the 2010 protests?

Really, you need to read up a bit more...

[Fat Haggis]

Ignorance is saying "Thai Politicians are the Horses, and, we, the RTA are the Jockeys.". Google which Commander said that EJ, and you might actually learn something instead of being a Junta sycophant all the time.

[Exsexyman]

Some reformers as well as committee members agree that the seed of the national divide lies with the politicians, not the people.

historically, the elite and the generals have always blamed (corrupt) politicians for the country's problems in a thinly-veiled attempt to hide their own culpability.

In your supreme ignorance, you are clearly unable to see how the Army had nothing at all to do with the running of the country right up until protestors were getting murdered and the police were letting the terrorists escape through 'checkpoints'. Prior to that it was ALL handled by politicians.

Still : don't let truth get in the way of the rhetoric you have been programmed with. None of your friends do.

Who are these 'elite' anyway ?. Anybody from Bangkok who has more money than you ?.

You really haven't got a clue have you! Your naivety would be quite touching if it wasn't so sad to see a grown man so clueless.

[tukkytuktuk]

Some reformers have suggested that the committee come up with measures directly targeting politicians that they view as the most problematic parties in the conflict. They also pointed out that reconciliation may not succeed if the root of the problem involving these politicians is not tackled.

Some reformers as well as committee members agree that the seed of the national divide lies with the politicians, not the people.

Here, here, the next election should do away with politicians and have only military generals running for election.