Bangkok: Former MP Chaiwat Tulathan and MP Rangsiman Rome recently clarified the objectives and implications of the proposed Amnesty Bill, addressing concerns about its potential conflict with the Constitution, specifically Section 6. The discussion comes in light of the Constitutional Court’s previous rulings affecting the Move Forward Party.
According to Thai News Agency, Chaiwat Tulathan, a former MP of the Move Forward Party and a member of the special committee for the Amnesty Act, affirmed that past amnesties, including actions related to the October 1976 protests at Thammasat University, did not violate Section 6 of the Constitution. He stated that these actions were politically neutral concerning the monarchy, aligning with the constitutional stipulation that the King should remain a respected, apolitical figure.
Rangsiman Rome, a party-list MP from the Prachachon Party and also a committee member, emphasized that the committee’s role is not to amend or repeal Section 112 of the Criminal Code, which
pertains to the monarchy, but to explore potential amnesty as a resolution to ongoing political issues. He highlighted that the committee’s discussions are geared towards creating a constructive political solution, not challenging or altering existing laws regarding the monarchy.
The committee, according to Rome, is focused on how to implement amnesty without triggering political or legal backlash, especially considering the sensitive nature of Section 112. He argued that the approach should aim at reconciling and resolving political conflicts rather than exacerbating them. Rome also pointed out that the international perception of how Section 112 is enforced could affect the country’s image and stressed the importance of finding solutions that respect the monarchy while addressing political grievances.
The outcome of the committee’s findings, as explained by Rome, will depend largely on government action and the willingness of the legislative body to adopt the recommendations. The committee’s report aims t
o provide a basis for potential amnesty legislation that could help mitigate long-standing political tensions in Thailand.