Those who broke law during political conflict could be pardoned: Prayut

[webfact]

Those who broke law during political conflict could be pardoned: Prayut
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- PRIME MINISTER Prayut Chan-o-cha suggested yesterday that those breaking the law during political conflict could be pardoned if they agreed to pursue their cases in court.

"When they are sentenced to jail, there are regulations involving leniency. This starts[ranges] from remedy to amnesty. This will be further discussed. There must be a mechanism to deal with this," he said.

He also denied that his government had given anyone preferential treatment, saying offenders should all submit to the judicial process.

Some politicians and protest leaders face criminal charges resulting from the political conflict over the past decade. Many of them have fled the country, including former PM Thaksin Shinawatra.

Prayut said his government was now in the second stage of its reform project, which includes a strategy for the country for the next 20 years. "The plan must be clearly written on reducing inequality and creating fairness," he said.

Red-shirt leader Sompong Srakawi, who is now a member of the new Reform Steering Council (RSC), praised Prayut's plan to grant amnesty to those involved in the political unrest, particularly ordinary protesters. The government should study administrations from the past on granting amnesty, he said.

He declined to comment on the PM's insistence that those on the run would be excluded from amnesty, other than saying he did not think this was referring to Thaksin.

Seree Suwanpanont, another RSC member, said amnesty should be part of the reconciliation process. However, not all of those who broke the law for political reasons should benefit from amnesty.

"There is a dispute as to whether people who refuse to enter the judicial process should also deserve amnesty," he said.

Details on this would need to be further discussed, he said. "The question is not about whether there will be amnesty. We should also consider the information involved," he said.

The RSC will discuss this matter, he said.

Cases stemming from political disputes might be separated into those involving politicians or protest leaders and those involving ordinary protesters. The latter group might be given clemency or assistance with their cases, he said.

Thawilwadi Burikul, also an RSC member, said the issue of amnesty was not something for the council to consider. "Personally I think this matter should be the duty of the government. There must be many measures involved, and not just amnesty. Many measures need to be taken," she said.

In doing its work, the council should also carry on with the key agenda suggested by the now-defunct National Reform Council, she said.

RSC member Witthaya Kaewparadai, formerly a Democrat politician, said the council should focus on national reform or that effort would not succeed. "You have to set priorities. There are many issues that need to be looked at - political reform and social reform. Over the past decade, people worshipped money. The problems need to be addressed. Don't try to cover all the issues, or you won't finish anything," he said.

Sirichai Mai-ngam, another new RSC member, suggested that reform should centre on reducing inequality.

He would also push for systematic reform of the labour sector in order to solve many deep-rooted problems.

He is president of the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand's labour union and a former leader of the People's Alliance for Democracy.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/Those-who-broke-law-during-political-conflict-coul-30270505.html


-- The Nation 2015-10-09

[Toknarok]

I thought that amnesty was a dirty word to the anti Shinawatras. Oh I forgot the Generals granted themselves one after the illegal coup.

[oneday]

It's just a ruse/scam/sting to get people to turn themselves in and then drop the hammer on them.

The vast majority getting hammered will undoubtedly be wearing red.

[Emster23]

"Come into my parlor" said the spider to the fly....

[Srikcir]

"When they are sentenced to jail, there are regulations involving leniency. This starts[ranges] from remedy to amnesty."

Once again a double standard of justice by the current government.

Prayut is correct about how amnesty SHOULD APPLY: arrest, prosecution, guilty ruling, leniency/amnesty. But for the NCPO that admittely violated the Constitution and several Criminal Codes bypassed the judicial system to grant itself amnesty. This follows the principle of "do as I say and not as I do."

Equality works best when you have absolute power.

[ldiablo]

All this craziness of the last 2 years began when the Yingluck government tried to pass an amnesty bill and now here we are 15 months later and the current government is talking about amnesty.

[cloghead]

Prayut said his government was now in the second stage of its reform project, which includes a strategy for the country for the next 20 years. "The plan must be clearly written on reducing inequality and creating fairness," he said.

Hallelujah! 20 more years of happiness

[Pib]

Note the difference between an Amnesty and Pardon per this website....partial quote below. For a pardon you are just hoping after being convicted you might receive a pardon. I figure in the currently divisive political environment of Thailand the chances of the accused believing a pardon is the best approach and probable is very close to zero.

Amnesty vs Pardon

Amnesty and pardon are powers bestowed on the supreme authority of a nation to give forgiveness to individuals or group of individuals who have been found guilty of some act.

When looking at the two, amnesty is absolution and forgetfulness of an offence whereas a pardon is termed as pity and forgiveness. Amnesty may be given to persons who have not faced a trial and been convicted. On the contrary, a pardon is awarded to persons who have been convicted.

When a pardon is given to only individuals, amnesty is given to a group of individuals. A pardon is only given after a judgment has been pronounced whereas amnesty is given even before the final judgment.

In pardons, the criminal record of an individual is not wiped out as the court has already convicted that person.

Amnesty has been mainly applied in political situations to address certain issues of national importance. When looking at amnesty, it can be traced to Roman and Greek laws.

[Fat Haggis]

all he's doing is paving the way to give amnesties to all the PDRC protester leadership who broke various laws during their campaign.

He does however seem to agree that for reconciliation to be seen as an olive branch, unfortunately such amnesties may well be the only way to mover the country forwards and close the huge gap that still exists politically, and socially.

Should Thaksin ever be given one? not a chance, it would simply be back to square one, but some people need to be prepared for such a possibility, as the change that will come when the inevitable happens, may see to this.

Anyway, that's for the Thais to decide, their rules, their laws, their flaws and their mistakes.

[Lorn]

all he's doing is paving the way to give amnesties to all the PDRC protester leadership who broke various laws during their campaign.

He does however seem to agree that for reconciliation to be seen as an olive branch, unfortunately such amnesties may well be the only way to mover the country forwards and close the huge gap that still exists politically, and socially.

Should Thaksin ever be given one? not a chance, it would simply be back to square one, but some people need to be prepared for such a possibility, as the change that will come when the inevitable happens, may see to this.

Anyway, that's for the Thais to decide, their rules, their laws, their flaws and their mistakes.

Is it going to be " The Thais" to decide? Will there be a referendum to decide if Suthep's mob and/or Thaksin is given amnesty?

[tbthailand]

Amnesty for Resistant Citizen?

Nah, ....

[Bob12345]

all he's doing is paving the way to give amnesties to all the PDRC protester leadership who broke various laws during their campaign.

He does however seem to agree that for reconciliation to be seen as an olive branch, unfortunately such amnesties may well be the only way to mover the country forwards and close the huge gap that still exists politically, and socially.

Should Thaksin ever be given one? not a chance, it would simply be back to square one, but some people need to be prepared for such a possibility, as the change that will come when the inevitable happens, may see to this.

Anyway, that's for the Thais to decide, their rules, their laws, their flaws and their mistakes.

Is it going to be " The Thais" to decide? Will there be a referendum to decide if Suthep's mob and/or Thaksin is given amnesty?

I think he meant "thats for the Thais that matter to decide".

Nobody cares about those pesky dumb farmers, they are too stupid to understand amnesty.

I hope they come with a counsil of good men who can decide who gets amnesty. Those wise men will give themselves amnesty first, and after that they will need about 20 years to decide on amnesty for other. Of course they get paid to think this over, and they can hire as many family members as they like to help them thinking it over, all with an well-above average paycheck of course.

[Nobb]

And will you pardon the next wave of political conflict people coming soon to Thailand?

[waldroj]

“Those who broke law during political conflict…” does not say what law was broken, nor does it say which political conflict.

The PM has only “suggested” that people might be pardoned. One needs to be extremely careful of his suggestions (as journalists know only too well)!

The only person speaking any sense in this article by The Nation is former Thaksin-government Senator Seree Suwanpanont. The now Chairman of the Committee on Laws and Justice Reform in the National Reform Council said amnesty should be part of the reconciliation process.

After 17 months of junta-rule, we don’t seem to be very far down the reconciliation path (despite having a Roadmap to guide us towards democracy)! In fact, it could be argued that Thailand is just as divided (politically) now as it ever has been. To make matters worse, its economy has suffered badly during this period.

The propaganda and rhetoric have done nothing more than make the Thai people sceptical and weary of the “reform” process that is seemingly on the road to nowhere. It’s long overdue for the PM to walk the talk!

If he is truly sincere about reconciliation, he must get serious about wholesale amnesty for all but those accused of the most serious criminal activities. Don’t pursue a legal result on an individual case by case basis, unless the real intention is to drag the process on for as long as possible.

The PM needs to revisit his speech to the UN where he told delegates that Thailand is currently undertaking comprehensive reforms, including creating trust, social reconciliation and unity; and harmonizing social order. I hope he was being honest!

Prayut needs to "Let 'em up easy”, as Abraham Lincoln said when referring to how the defeated Confederates States should be treated at the end of the US Civil War. Reconciliation must be the top priority for reform, and amnesty has to be a key part of the process!

[farangmick]

So many points to discuss that anyone now over fifty will be dead before they get the amnesty.

[springheeled jack]

amnesty for some but not for all this applies to ordinary protesters not to politicians prayut is saying if you give yourselves up go through the judicial system you might get a pardon he is saying you could get pardoned , could this be a sprat to catch a mackerel .

[mikemac]

Not surprising that the majority of the Thais (and farangs) calling the loudest and longest for amnesty are the same ones who support the murdering terrorists who need it the most.

If it were up to me every single one of them, red, yellow, Military, Police, the whole lot would suffer for what they did to their fellow Thais and their country. It would be doing the country a favor to get them off the streets.

(you will notice the ones who flame me for making this comment are the same ones who deny being Shin/red supporters, some might call it "flushing the snakes out of the long grass") and I could not care less what they say !

[rubl]

All this craziness of the last 2 years began when the Yingluck government tried to pass an amnesty bill and now here we are 15 months later and the current government is talking about amnesty.

The Yingluck administration tried to push through a blanket amnesty bill for the period 2004 till 2013-08-09 and covering politically induced crimes. Said bill covered her mis-administration and the RPPS for instance, 2010, and Thaksin of course. Lots of corruption swept under the carpet, no one guilty for 93 deaths in 2010, Thaksin absolved of his psychopatic greed without a need to see a psychiatrist. Ms. yingluck imploring the people to "go home, not all done yet". Indeed craziness.

Now the government talks about amnesty possibilities for those persuing their case in court.

[paymaster]

Every time amnesty and politics are mention in the same talk up pops Thaksin's name. Khun Thaksin has not been convicted of a political crime but of a crime aimed at increasing his personal wealth. Amnesty/Pardon for this man has nothing to do with politics and it is for this reason that the opposition rose against Yingluck when she attempted to manipulate amnesty for her brother.

[gk10002000]

Speaking of breaking the law, what laws if any were in effect when the current dictator took over? was there a constitution that had any meaning? Does the constitution prohibit armed overthrow? That is one of the things the USA constitution is very clear about. Politic out voting is allowed but not military or violent overthrow.

[fasteddie]

I thought that amnesty was a dirty word to the anti Shinawatras. Oh I forgot the Generals granted themselves one after the illegal coup.

Yep, all coup leaders are always given amnesty, just goes to prove all the fuss about Yingluks amnesty was just a smokescreen for the upcoming coup.

[fasteddie]

Every time amnesty and politics are mention in the same talk up pops Thaksin's name. Khun Thaksin has not been convicted of a political crime but of a crime aimed at increasing his personal wealth. Amnesty/Pardon for this man has nothing to do with politics and it is for this reason that the opposition rose against Yingluck when she attempted to manipulate amnesty for her brother.

So amnesty for murderers but not thieves?

[sjaak327]

Every time amnesty and politics are mention in the same talk up pops Thaksin's name. Khun Thaksin has not been convicted of a political crime but of a crime aimed at increasing his personal wealth. Amnesty/Pardon for this man has nothing to do with politics and it is for this reason that the opposition rose against Yingluck when she attempted to manipulate amnesty for her brother.

No, the ratchada land deal was done by his (ex) wife. The devil as always is in the details.

Funny how with all the allegeded crimes he has committed, they 'nailed' him on this one. Not a country in the world will extradite him for this of course.

Of course there aren't many countries on this world who take the Thai 'justice' system seriously.

Edited October 11, 2015 by sjaak327

[metisdead]

A post with the intent to deflect the topic to the blanket amnesty in Northern Ireland has been removed.

[jerojero]

Ya roll yur dices (surrender and confess).... Ya takes yur chances (maybe pardoned). Good luck with the odds!

Edited October 12, 2015 by jerojero