Bangkok: The House of Representatives has accepted the principles of three draft bills aimed at promoting peace, while rejecting a controversial draft bill on amnesty concerning Section 112 cases. The decision comes amid ongoing debates on how to balance societal harmony and justice.
According to Thai News Agency, the House of Representatives meeting, chaired by First Vice President Pichet Chueamuangphan, continued discussions on five draft bills concerning political amnesty. The accepted drafts include those proposed by the Ruam Thai Sang Chart Party, the Klatham Party, the Prachachat Party, and the Bhumjaithai Party, all aimed at fostering a peaceful society. However, the draft bill on amnesty for the “civil sector – MPs of the people” was rejected, reflecting concerns about potential societal conflicts.
Mr. Wichai Sutsawat, Chumphon MP of the Ruam Thai Sang Chart Party, emphasized that the draft law to promote a peaceful society was intended for all groups and not just specific political factions. He highlighted that while there are disagreements, the draft law represents an opportunity to steer the country towards democracy without granting amnesty to those involved in serious crimes. The Ruam Thai Sang Chart Party firmly opposed amnesty for Section 112 cases.
The debate also saw Mr. Yingcheep Atchanon of iLaw arguing against the perceived discrimination in the amnesty proposals. He pointed out that many individuals charged under Section 112 were accused wrongly and faced unjust imprisonment, questioning the fairness of granting amnesty to some groups while excluding others.
Mr. Krawee Prisananantakul from the Bhumjaithai Party expressed sympathy for those punished under Section 112 but warned that differing opinions could lead to societal unrest. He suggested seeking forgiveness as an alternative to amnesty, affirming that Bhumjaithai does not support actions that could incite new conflicts while healing old wounds.
Ms. Sasinan Thamnithinan from the Prachachon Party read a letter from Mr. Anon Nampa, a prisoner under Section 112, urging MPs to consider the broader implications of the amnesty bill. She advocated for courage among MPs to abstain from voting against people’s hopes, asserting that amnesty should not discriminate.
Ultimately, the meeting resulted in the unanimous acceptance of the draft of the Peaceful Society Promotion Act with 299 votes in favor, 172 abstentions, and 1 vote against. Various drafts, including those proposed by Mr. Prida Boonpleng and the Bhumjaithai Party, saw significant support, while the amnesty proposals faced rejection.
A 32-person committee has been established to study the amendments within 15 days, including participation from notable rally figures, indicating a continued focus on achieving societal peace and justice.