Bangkok: The House of Representatives suspended its session following a proposal by the People’s Assembly to include amnesty measures under Section 112. The proposal, which aimed to provide conditional amnesty for lese majeste cases, sparked objections from the Pheu Thai Party and led to a request for a break in discussions by Chatada. Nattawut expressed concerns that the Senate might reject the bill, potentially affecting thousands of individuals.
According to Thai News Agency, the House was deliberating the draft Act on the Promotion of a Peaceful Society, which had completed its second reading. During the debate on Section 3, conditions were discussed for denying amnesty to individuals with significant criminal convictions, including corruption, misconduct, and offenses under Section 112 of the Criminal Code. The committee proposed revisions to exclude amnesty for cases resulting in serious harm.
Ms. Sasinan Thamnithinan, a Bangkok MP from the Prachachon Party, suggested modifications to include amnesty for youth offenders under 18. Meanwhile, Mr. Chaiwat Tuladhon advocated for conditional amnesty for lese majeste offenses, proposing measures to prevent reoffending. His dialogue with various parties revealed a cautious openness to the idea, although concerns persisted about potential recurrence of political expression by those previously accused of such offenses.
Mr. Chaiwat emphasized the importance of finding a middle ground to ensure the amnesty law achieves its goal of fostering peace. He argued that addressing past conflicts without provoking new ones is crucial for societal harmony. He urged the House to consider the proposal or at least include provisions for youth offenders.
The debate saw support from MPs like Mr. Chaiampawan Manphienchit of the Thai Kao Na Party, while the majority committee, including Bhumjaithai Party and Pheu Thai Party members, opposed the proposal, citing principle violations and risks of Senate rejection. Mr. Chada Thaiset, chairman of the Government Coalition Coordination Committee, requested a suspension for further discussion between committees.
Mr. Nattawut highlighted the need for careful drafting to avoid Senate rejection, which would delay the bill by six months. He stressed the urgency of passing the bill within the session’s timeframe.
Prayut Siripanich of the Pheu Thai Party opposed the minority committee’s proposal, emphasizing the importance of legal principles and the rule of law. He argued against using amnesty to diminish legal sanctity.
The debate concluded without resolution, prompting Mr. Nattawut Buapratum to propose a suspension to allow further discussions between the whip and the committee. Mr. Chalat Khamchuang, the Second Deputy Speaker, endorsed the suspension to facilitate a joint resolution.