PM rejects any proposal for an amnesty for political offenders

[rooster59]

PM rejects any proposal for an amnesty for political offenders

BANGKOK: Prime Minister Prayut Chan-ocha shot down any proposal for sweeping amnesty for the sake of national reconciliation, saying that enforcement of the law and obeying the law by all parties concerned must come first.

He also called on members of the media to help the government in the efforts to ease political conflicts and to restore peace and order in the country.

The prime minister snubbed at certain politicians for not doing anything constructive or positive toward the country but finding fault with the government, the Constitution Drafting Committee or the Election Commission.

“Are these the people who are to be elected the next time there is an election?” he asked without elaborating who they are.

As whether it is permissible for Khunying Sudarat Keyuraphan to hold an informal discussion among Pheu Thai party members next week, the prime minister warned that they must not defy the law and the NCPO announcement banning political gathering of more than five people.

He said that they had held secret meetings before and now they wanted to meet openly. “Will the media be held accountable if they (politicians) engage in political violence again?” he asked.

The prime minister steadfastly denied allegation by certain parties that the government had been harassing their members. He made clear that he would not accept any proposal for an amnesty for political offenders of different shades unless they must first respect the law and turn themselves in to acknowledge the charges against them.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/pm-rejects-proposal-amnesty-political-offenders/

-- Thai PBS 2016-07-02

[shirtless]

Prayut you have stayed way past your mandate and done nothing but talk, its time to go.

[NongKhaiKid]

Amnesty, obeying and enforcing the law ?

Seems to have a very personal application.

[Thechook]

From the guy who exonerated himself and gave all his thugs an amnesty when he staged a coup and siezed the country as his own.

[starky]

Oh the irony..

[ezzra]

Good on you sir, show those political snakes that there will be a price to pay should the err on their duties to

serve the people and country that have chosen them to represent, no more " forgive and forget " crap,

that only served to embolden rouge politician to continue with their crocked ways.....

[starky]

Good on you sir, show those political snakes that there will be a price to pay should the err on their duties to

serve the people and country that have chosen them to represent, no more " forgive and forget " crap,

that only served to embolden rouge politician to continue with their crocked ways.....

Oh (surely) the sarcasm...

[daoyai]

political offenders = political prisoners

[waldroj]

Prayut you have stayed way past your mandate and done nothing but talk, its time to go.

Maybe, he should just "putsch" off!

[jamesbrock]

It must be so nice to be able make up and enforce with impunity any laws one's mind can conceive, and grant yourself your cronies a blanket amnesty for breaking any law that you or any previous administration has passed...

[robblok]

Great, the politicians need to learn that they too can go to jail maybe next time then they wont rouse up people to burn or to bomb and kill. Once they understand that not only the lowly food soldiers can go to jail but they too they would calm down a bit and the country would be a lot better.

All those amnesties are a bane to this country.. getting one for Thaksin is what started all this. Politicians keep thinking they are above the law and by doing so keep breaking up the country. In normal countries those that fired up the protesters for burning BKK would be in jail and a bombing campaign against anti government protesters that is just un thinkable in normal countries. All because politicians think they can't be touched.

Now a good point is made that the general gave himself an amnesty, so be it but its politicians that got us here in the first place, without the amnesty for the crook from Dubai there would not have been street protests and the army would not have had to step in. Or maybe the PTP should not have unleashed their killer squats bombing and shooting up protesters.

[aussieinthailand]

Great, the politicians need to learn that they too can go to jail maybe next time then they wont rouse up people to burn or to bomb and kill. Once they understand that not only the lowly food soldiers can go to jail but they too they would calm down a bit and the country would be a lot better.

All those amnesties are a bane to this country.. getting one for Thaksin is what started all this. Politicians keep thinking they are above the law and by doing so keep breaking up the country. In normal countries those that fired up the protesters for burning BKK would be in jail and a bombing campaign against anti government protesters that is just un thinkable in normal countries. All because politicians think they can't be touched.

Now a good point is made that the general gave himself an amnesty, so be it but its politicians that got us here in the first place, without the amnesty for the crook from Dubai there would not have been street protests and the army would not have had to step in. Or maybe the PTP should not have unleashed their killer squats bombing and shooting up protesters.

Rob I agree that there should NOT be any amnesty for politicians that have broken serious laws.

Unfortunately there are politician's as well as students, academics, political science members protesters mothers, people with a red bowl, people commenting anything at all regarding politics, clicking like on FB, criticizing the junta/the referendum and the public are being condemned as "political offenders", sorry mate but most of the country and the world would think they are NOT "political offenders" but they are people with a conscience and stand by it even when threatened with gaol.

Then some could say most of the country and the world would think this is a morally corrupt regime that thinks it's self is above the law and hypocrites' of the highest order.

So Rob, just who are innocent "political offenders and whom are guilty?

And I'm afraid that being a politician dose not mean you do not have the right to your conscience and to express it, but the junta has made that a crime.....

"Now a good point is made that the general gave himself an amnesty, so be it" Seriously is that it?

If it walks like a hypocrite and talks like a hypocrite then it's a ________!!!

[robblok]

Great, the politicians need to learn that they too can go to jail maybe next time then they wont rouse up people to burn or to bomb and kill. Once they understand that not only the lowly food soldiers can go to jail but they too they would calm down a bit and the country would be a lot better.

All those amnesties are a bane to this country.. getting one for Thaksin is what started all this. Politicians keep thinking they are above the law and by doing so keep breaking up the country. In normal countries those that fired up the protesters for burning BKK would be in jail and a bombing campaign against anti government protesters that is just un thinkable in normal countries. All because politicians think they can't be touched.

Now a good point is made that the general gave himself an amnesty, so be it but its politicians that got us here in the first place, without the amnesty for the crook from Dubai there would not have been street protests and the army would not have had to step in. Or maybe the PTP should not have unleashed their killer squats bombing and shooting up protesters.

Rob I agree that there should NOT be any amnesty for politicians that have broken serious laws.

Unfortunately there are politician's as well as students, academics, political science members protesters mothers, people with a red bowl, people commenting anything at all regarding politics, clicking like on FB, criticizing the junta/the referendum and the public are being condemned as "political offenders", sorry mate but most of the country and the world would think they are NOT "political offenders" but they are people with a conscience and stand by it even when threatened with gaol.

Then some could say most of the country and the world would think this is a morally corrupt regime that thinks it's self is above the law and hypocrites' of the highest order.

So Rob, just who are innocent "political offenders and whom are guilty?

And I'm afraid that being a politician dose not mean you do not have the right to your conscience and to express it, but the junta has made that a crime.....

"Now a good point is made that the general gave himself an amnesty, so be it" Seriously is that it?

If it walks like a hypocrite and talks like a hypocrite then it's a ________!!!

Oh i agree about the red bowl and student leaders, I am more talking about the people like Jattuporn / Suthep and others that get away with almost anything and keep stirring up trouble.

Thing is mate the general was forced into the coup by the AMNESTY for Thaksin and the protests that followed. Without that he would not be in this mess. So I can understand that amnesty for him and the army as they were forced into this. But I agree it looks quite hypocritical. However in most countries if your forced to commit a crime because of an other crime it is usually looked upon much more favorably then when you were not forced into it. (there are cases of people killing murderers of their kids that walked ) i see this in a similar light he was forced to act.

[aussieinthailand]

Great, the politicians need to learn that they too can go to jail maybe next time then they wont rouse up people to burn or to bomb and kill. Once they understand that not only the lowly food soldiers can go to jail but they too they would calm down a bit and the country would be a lot better.

All those amnesties are a bane to this country.. getting one for Thaksin is what started all this. Politicians keep thinking they are above the law and by doing so keep breaking up the country. In normal countries those that fired up the protesters for burning BKK would be in jail and a bombing campaign against anti government protesters that is just un thinkable in normal countries. All because politicians think they can't be touched.

Now a good point is made that the general gave himself an amnesty, so be it but its politicians that got us here in the first place, without the amnesty for the crook from Dubai there would not have been street protests and the army would not have had to step in. Or maybe the PTP should not have unleashed their killer squats bombing and shooting up protesters.

Rob I agree that there should NOT be any amnesty for politicians that have broken serious laws.

Unfortunately there are politician's as well as students, academics, political science members protesters mothers, people with a red bowl, people commenting anything at all regarding politics, clicking like on FB, criticizing the junta/the referendum and the public are being condemned as "political offenders", sorry mate but most of the country and the world would think they are NOT "political offenders" but they are people with a conscience and stand by it even when threatened with gaol.

Then some could say most of the country and the world would think this is a morally corrupt regime that thinks it's self is above the law and hypocrites' of the highest order.

So Rob, just who are innocent "political offenders and whom are guilty?

And I'm afraid that being a politician dose not mean you do not have the right to your conscience and to express it, but the junta has made that a crime.....

"Now a good point is made that the general gave himself an amnesty, so be it" Seriously is that it?

If it walks like a hypocrite and talks like a hypocrite then it's a ________!!!

Oh i agree about the red bowl and student leaders, I am more talking about the people like Jattuporn / Suthep and others that get away with almost anything and keep stirring up trouble.

Thing is mate the general was forced into the coup by the AMNESTY for Thaksin and the protests that followed. Without that he would not be in this mess. So I can understand that amnesty for him and the army as they were forced into this. But I agree it looks quite hypocritical. However in most countries if your forced to commit a crime because of an other crime it is usually looked upon much more favorably then when you were not forced into it. (there are cases of people killing murderers of their kids that walked ) i see this in a similar light he was forced to act.

The PTP suggested amnesty IMO, was a political cock up and should not have taken place, but it did, now in your own words, "In a normal country" it went to parliament to be voted on, it failed and that should have been the end of it, but Suthep has admitted that he and the leader of the coup planed this well ahead of time and used minority of protesters to yet again bring the country to a stand still, The Yingluk gov't followed the law by calling for elections instead of stepping down and giving the country over to unelected people to run for who knows how long? which was Suthep's publicly stated plan if you remember.

so I disagree that the junta leader was force into this position at all, it was orca striated well in advance.

The junta leader has NOT separated political offenders of the likes Jattuporn/Suthep/Mad monk from students, and their mothers, academics, etc has he?

So until he changes that fact he is guilty of making freedom and expression of opinion a crime and calling them "political offenders" and no amnesty, Hypocrite.

[watcharacters]

Doesn't this just mean he's reinforcing the lack of freedom of speech?

[klauskunkel]

“Will the media be held accountable if they (politicians) engage in political violence again?”

What's the rationale of holding the media accountable for violence perpetrated by someone else?

Then again, why the heck not.... At least it's not victims being held accountable, that's a step up.

The concept of holding the perpetrators responsible for their actions - Thailand is not ready yet for such a radical idea.

[sweatalot]

he is right to reject amnesty to the "political" offenders They are criminals who abused politics for their own purpose.

- like their master and instructor

And they would use any trick to come back to power and money, again betraying the people

Edited July 2, 2016 by sweatalot

[MobileContent]

Great, the politicians need to learn that they too can go to jail maybe next time then they wont rouse up people to burn or to bomb and kill. Once they understand that not only the lowly food soldiers can go to jail but they too they would calm down a bit and the country would be a lot better.

All those amnesties are a bane to this country.. getting one for Thaksin is what started all this. Politicians keep thinking they are above the law and by doing so keep breaking up the country. In normal countries those that fired up the protesters for burning BKK would be in jail and a bombing campaign against anti government protesters that is just un thinkable in normal countries. All because politicians think they can't be touched.

Now a good point is made that the general gave himself an amnesty, so be it but its politicians that got us here in the first place, without the amnesty for the crook from Dubai there would not have been street protests and the army would not have had to step in. Or maybe the PTP should not have unleashed their killer squats bombing and shooting up protesters.

Rob I agree that there should NOT be any amnesty for politicians that have broken serious laws.

Unfortunately there are politician's as well as students, academics, political science members protesters mothers, people with a red bowl, people commenting anything at all regarding politics, clicking like on FB, criticizing the junta/the referendum and the public are being condemned as "political offenders", sorry mate but most of the country and the world would think they are NOT "political offenders" but they are people with a conscience and stand by it even when threatened with gaol.

Then some could say most of the country and the world would think this is a morally corrupt regime that thinks it's self is above the law and hypocrites' of the highest order.

So Rob, just who are innocent "political offenders and whom are guilty?

And I'm afraid that being a politician dose not mean you do not have the right to your conscience and to express it, but the junta has made that a crime.....

"Now a good point is made that the general gave himself an amnesty, so be it" Seriously is that it?

If it walks like a hypocrite and talks like a hypocrite then it's a ________!!!

Oh i agree about the red bowl and student leaders, I am more talking about the people like Jattuporn / Suthep and others that get away with almost anything and keep stirring up trouble.

Thing is mate the general was forced into the coup by the AMNESTY for Thaksin and the protests that followed. Without that he would not be in this mess. So I can understand that amnesty for him and the army as they were forced into this. But I agree it looks quite hypocritical. However in most countries if your forced to commit a crime because of an other crime it is usually looked upon much more favorably then when you were not forced into it. (there are cases of people killing murderers of their kids that walked ) i see this in a similar light he was forced to act.

So I can understand that amnesty for him and the army as they were forced into this

Do you really think that the army was forced into it? Their have been so many coups in Thailand and the army always changed the constitution and passed an amnesty for their crimes and this has been going on for the past 70+ years.

Their are more people killed in the deep South as during the last protest of Suthep two years ago.

The EC is biased, the constitutional court is biased and the problem really is that the elite treats the peasants from the North, Northeast and the Deep South as shit.

Edited July 2, 2016 by MobileContent

[smedly]

It must be so nice to be able make up and enforce with impunity any laws one's mind can conceive, and grant yourself your cronies a blanket amnesty for breaking any law that you or any previous administration has passed...

I guess the alternative was to flee the country in shame and go on the run taking your ill gotten billions with you - right lol

Then use said billions to fund what many would see as a terrorist campaign against your own people

[jamesbrock]

It must be so nice to be able make up and enforce with impunity any laws one's mind can conceive, and grant yourself your cronies a blanket amnesty for breaking any law that you or any previous administration has passed...

I guess the alternative was to flee the country in shame and go on the run taking your ill gotten billions with you - right lol

Then use said billions to fund what many would see as a terrorist campaign against your own people

Yes, of course, that is another method that could lead to the continued ruination of the country... Both legitimate in the eyes of the perpetrators, and both equally detestable for those of us who would like to see Thailand flourish to its fullest potential.

[Reigntax]

The PM has his amnesty to run a muck, why should others get the same self given privledge.

[MZurf]

he is right to reject amnesty to the "political" offenders They are criminals who abused politics for their own purpose.

- like their master and instructor

And they would use any trick to come back to power and money, again betraying the people

"And they would use any trick to come back to power and money, again betraying the people"

You're talking about the military, right? You know, the institution who has used any trick to come back to money and power again and again.

Or do you mean that the dozen coups since 1932 have actually benefited the country??

[smedly]

Great, the politicians need to learn that they too can go to jail maybe next time then they wont rouse up people to burn or to bomb and kill. Once they understand that not only the lowly food soldiers can go to jail but they too they would calm down a bit and the country would be a lot better.

All those amnesties are a bane to this country.. getting one for Thaksin is what started all this. Politicians keep thinking they are above the law and by doing so keep breaking up the country. In normal countries those that fired up the protesters for burning BKK would be in jail and a bombing campaign against anti government protesters that is just un thinkable in normal countries. All because politicians think they can't be touched.

Now a good point is made that the general gave himself an amnesty, so be it but its politicians that got us here in the first place, without the amnesty for the crook from Dubai there would not have been street protests and the army would not have had to step in. Or maybe the PTP should not have unleashed their killer squats bombing and shooting up protesters.

post of the week

[sharecropper]

The whole of Thailand's population are political prisoners - and hostages - at the moment.

[robblok]

Great, the politicians need to learn that they too can go to jail maybe next time then they wont rouse up people to burn or to bomb and kill. Once they understand that not only the lowly food soldiers can go to jail but they too they would calm down a bit and the country would be a lot better.

All those amnesties are a bane to this country.. getting one for Thaksin is what started all this. Politicians keep thinking they are above the law and by doing so keep breaking up the country. In normal countries those that fired up the protesters for burning BKK would be in jail and a bombing campaign against anti government protesters that is just un thinkable in normal countries. All because politicians think they can't be touched.

Now a good point is made that the general gave himself an amnesty, so be it but its politicians that got us here in the first place, without the amnesty for the crook from Dubai there would not have been street protests and the army would not have had to step in. Or maybe the PTP should not have unleashed their killer squats bombing and shooting up protesters.

Rob I agree that there should NOT be any amnesty for politicians that have broken serious laws.

Unfortunately there are politician's as well as students, academics, political science members protesters mothers, people with a red bowl, people commenting anything at all regarding politics, clicking like on FB, criticizing the junta/the referendum and the public are being condemned as "political offenders", sorry mate but most of the country and the world would think they are NOT "political offenders" but they are people with a conscience and stand by it even when threatened with gaol.

Then some could say most of the country and the world would think this is a morally corrupt regime that thinks it's self is above the law and hypocrites' of the highest order.

So Rob, just who are innocent "political offenders and whom are guilty?

And I'm afraid that being a politician dose not mean you do not have the right to your conscience and to express it, but the junta has made that a crime.....

"Now a good point is made that the general gave himself an amnesty, so be it" Seriously is that it?

If it walks like a hypocrite and talks like a hypocrite then it's a ________!!!

Oh i agree about the red bowl and student leaders, I am more talking about the people like Jattuporn / Suthep and others that get away with almost anything and keep stirring up trouble.

Thing is mate the general was forced into the coup by the AMNESTY for Thaksin and the protests that followed. Without that he would not be in this mess. So I can understand that amnesty for him and the army as they were forced into this. But I agree it looks quite hypocritical. However in most countries if your forced to commit a crime because of an other crime it is usually looked upon much more favorably then when you were not forced into it. (there are cases of people killing murderers of their kids that walked ) i see this in a similar light he was forced to act.

The PTP suggested amnesty IMO, was a political cock up and should not have taken place, but it did, now in your own words, "In a normal country" it went to parliament to be voted on, it failed and that should have been the end of it, but Suthep has admitted that he and the leader of the coup planed this well ahead of time and used minority of protesters to yet again bring the country to a stand still, The Yingluk gov't followed the law by calling for elections instead of stepping down and giving the country over to unelected people to run for who knows how long? which was Suthep's publicly stated plan if you remember.

so I disagree that the junta leader was force into this position at all, it was orca striated well in advance.

The junta leader has NOT separated political offenders of the likes Jattuporn/Suthep/Mad monk from students, and their mothers, academics, etc has he?

So until he changes that fact he is guilty of making freedom and expression of opinion a crime and calling them "political offenders" and no amnesty, Hypocrite.

Problem was that at any time that amnesty could be revived again, it was never really gone that was why they kept on going. It was still a risk and given the PTP track record nobody would be surprised if they revived it and got Thaksin back.

I disagree.. and keep blaming the PTP because with the amnesty they set this all in motion. But good lets agree to disagree.

Anway I am against an amnesty (thought the students and red bowl and those kind of small fry should be set free). I am talking about others like Jattuporn and Suthep and the guy that wanted BKK to burn. There are dangerous people who constantly go free and that keeps them from being careful and stop causing trouble.

[heybruce]

Great, the politicians need to learn that they too can go to jail maybe next time then they wont rouse up people to burn or to bomb and kill. Once they understand that not only the lowly food soldiers can go to jail but they too they would calm down a bit and the country would be a lot better.

All those amnesties are a bane to this country.. getting one for Thaksin is what started all this. Politicians keep thinking they are above the law and by doing so keep breaking up the country. In normal countries those that fired up the protesters for burning BKK would be in jail and a bombing campaign against anti government protesters that is just un thinkable in normal countries. All because politicians think they can't be touched.

Now a good point is made that the general gave himself an amnesty, so be it but its politicians that got us here in the first place, without the amnesty for the crook from Dubai there would not have been street protests and the army would not have had to step in. Or maybe the PTP should not have unleashed their killer squats bombing and shooting up protesters.

Rob I agree that there should NOT be any amnesty for politicians that have broken serious laws.

Unfortunately there are politician's as well as students, academics, political science members protesters mothers, people with a red bowl, people commenting anything at all regarding politics, clicking like on FB, criticizing the junta/the referendum and the public are being condemned as "political offenders", sorry mate but most of the country and the world would think they are NOT "political offenders" but they are people with a conscience and stand by it even when threatened with gaol.

Then some could say most of the country and the world would think this is a morally corrupt regime that thinks it's self is above the law and hypocrites' of the highest order.

So Rob, just who are innocent "political offenders and whom are guilty?

And I'm afraid that being a politician dose not mean you do not have the right to your conscience and to express it, but the junta has made that a crime.....

"Now a good point is made that the general gave himself an amnesty, so be it" Seriously is that it?

If it walks like a hypocrite and talks like a hypocrite then it's a ________!!!

Oh i agree about the red bowl and student leaders, I am more talking about the people like Jattuporn / Suthep and others that get away with almost anything and keep stirring up trouble.

Thing is mate the general was forced into the coup by the AMNESTY for Thaksin and the protests that followed. Without that he would not be in this mess. So I can understand that amnesty for him and the army as they were forced into this. But I agree it looks quite hypocritical. However in most countries if your forced to commit a crime because of an other crime it is usually looked upon much more favorably then when you were not forced into it. (there are cases of people killing murderers of their kids that walked ) i see this in a similar light he was forced to act.

"Thing is mate the general was forced into the coup by the AMNESTY for Thaksin and the protests that followed."

The amnesty was dropped. The protests were fading. The protests could have been ended at any time by the military making it clear there wouldn't be a coup and there would be elections. The coup was unnecessary.

The coup was staged to prevent elections. It was strictly for the benefit of the military and certain parties that can't be mentioned. To think anything else is delusional.

[smedly]

Great, the politicians need to learn that they too can go to jail maybe next time then they wont rouse up people to burn or to bomb and kill. Once they understand that not only the lowly food soldiers can go to jail but they too they would calm down a bit and the country would be a lot better.

All those amnesties are a bane to this country.. getting one for Thaksin is what started all this. Politicians keep thinking they are above the law and by doing so keep breaking up the country. In normal countries those that fired up the protesters for burning BKK would be in jail and a bombing campaign against anti government protesters that is just un thinkable in normal countries. All because politicians think they can't be touched.

Now a good point is made that the general gave himself an amnesty, so be it but its politicians that got us here in the first place, without the amnesty for the crook from Dubai there would not have been street protests and the army would not have had to step in. Or maybe the PTP should not have unleashed their killer squats bombing and shooting up protesters.

Rob I agree that there should NOT be any amnesty for politicians that have broken serious laws.

Unfortunately there are politician's as well as students, academics, political science members protesters mothers, people with a red bowl, people commenting anything at all regarding politics, clicking like on FB, criticizing the junta/the referendum and the public are being condemned as "political offenders", sorry mate but most of the country and the world would think they are NOT "political offenders" but they are people with a conscience and stand by it even when threatened with gaol.

Then some could say most of the country and the world would think this is a morally corrupt regime that thinks it's self is above the law and hypocrites' of the highest order.

So Rob, just who are innocent "political offenders and whom are guilty?

And I'm afraid that being a politician dose not mean you do not have the right to your conscience and to express it, but the junta has made that a crime.....

"Now a good point is made that the general gave himself an amnesty, so be it" Seriously is that it?

If it walks like a hypocrite and talks like a hypocrite then it's a ________!!!

Oh i agree about the red bowl and student leaders, I am more talking about the people like Jattuporn / Suthep and others that get away with almost anything and keep stirring up trouble.

Thing is mate the general was forced into the coup by the AMNESTY for Thaksin and the protests that followed. Without that he would not be in this mess. So I can understand that amnesty for him and the army as they were forced into this. But I agree it looks quite hypocritical. However in most countries if your forced to commit a crime because of an other crime it is usually looked upon much more favorably then when you were not forced into it. (there are cases of people killing murderers of their kids that walked ) i see this in a similar light he was forced to act.

The PM is keeping a very tight lid on things for very obvious reasons, everyone knows how things can kick off here and we also all know there are divisive elements that would like nothing better, better to be safe than sorry, I don't particularly like what he is doing and many see it as oppressive, I also have very clear memories of guns and grenades on the streets of Thailand with people being slaughtered including children - for now it is the lesser of two evils and we have peace on the streets

yes a red bowl is very innocent - so is a red shirt - just a bowl and just a shirt

[smedly]

Doesn't this just mean he's reinforcing the lack of freedom of speech?

not when that freedom has the potential to instigate violence and conflict

[Jai Dee]

One flame post and reply have been removed from this thread.

[smedly]

Great, the politicians need to learn that they too can go to jail maybe next time then they wont rouse up people to burn or to bomb and kill. Once they understand that not only the lowly food soldiers can go to jail but they too they would calm down a bit and the country would be a lot better.

All those amnesties are a bane to this country.. getting one for Thaksin is what started all this. Politicians keep thinking they are above the law and by doing so keep breaking up the country. In normal countries those that fired up the protesters for burning BKK would be in jail and a bombing campaign against anti government protesters that is just un thinkable in normal countries. All because politicians think they can't be touched.

Now a good point is made that the general gave himself an amnesty, so be it but its politicians that got us here in the first place, without the amnesty for the crook from Dubai there would not have been street protests and the army would not have had to step in. Or maybe the PTP should not have unleashed their killer squats bombing and shooting up protesters.

Rob I agree that there should NOT be any amnesty for politicians that have broken serious laws.

Unfortunately there are politician's as well as students, academics, political science members protesters mothers, people with a red bowl, people commenting anything at all regarding politics, clicking like on FB, criticizing the junta/the referendum and the public are being condemned as "political offenders", sorry mate but most of the country and the world would think they are NOT "political offenders" but they are people with a conscience and stand by it even when threatened with gaol.

Then some could say most of the country and the world would think this is a morally corrupt regime that thinks it's self is above the law and hypocrites' of the highest order.

So Rob, just who are innocent "political offenders and whom are guilty?

And I'm afraid that being a politician dose not mean you do not have the right to your conscience and to express it, but the junta has made that a crime.....

"Now a good point is made that the general gave himself an amnesty, so be it" Seriously is that it?

If it walks like a hypocrite and talks like a hypocrite then it's a ________!!!

Oh i agree about the red bowl and student leaders, I am more talking about the people like Jattuporn / Suthep and others that get away with almost anything and keep stirring up trouble.

Thing is mate the general was forced into the coup by the AMNESTY for Thaksin and the protests that followed. Without that he would not be in this mess. So I can understand that amnesty for him and the army as they were forced into this. But I agree it looks quite hypocritical. However in most countries if your forced to commit a crime because of an other crime it is usually looked upon much more favorably then when you were not forced into it. (there are cases of people killing murderers of their kids that walked ) i see this in a similar light he was forced to act.

"Thing is mate the general was forced into the coup by the AMNESTY for Thaksin and the protests that followed."

The amnesty was dropped. The protests were fading. The protests could have been ended at any time by the military making it clear there wouldn't be a coup and there would be elections. The coup was unnecessary.

The coup was staged to prevent elections. It was strictly for the benefit of the military and certain parties that can't be mentioned. To think anything else is delusional.

Thaksin would have put in place another proxy government promising more rice schemes - free cars - free laptops 1000baht minimum wage and free kitchen sink just as long as he won and the process would have started again, changes were needed before any more elections - Thaksins amnesty is now a pipe dream that will never happen, the only way he is coming back to Thailand is through a jail cell. Deal with it