Bangkok: Mr. Nattapong Ruangpanyawut, the opposition leader and head of the Prachachon Party, along with party MPs, has announced their support for five amnesty bills in the House of Representatives. He urged that issues of disagreement be addressed in the second reading, emphasizing the importance of abstaining from voting down bills to foster a more inclusive discussion.
According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Nattapong and his party highlighted the significance of the amnesty bills, asserting that over the past two decades, political conflicts have hindered Thailand’s development. The country has experienced two coups d’©tat, four constitutions, nine prime ministers, and numerous human and financial losses, amounting to damages of 100 billion baht. These conflicts, they argue, continue to impede national progress, and an amnesty law is necessary to resolve lingering tensions.
Mr. Nattapong called for courage among MPs from all political affiliations to pass the amnesty bills in the second reading. Despite discomfort with certain drafts, he maintained that MPs should vote for their own drafts to confirm principles and accept those deemed agreeable, such as those from the public sector. He emphasized that differing views should not lead to the rejection of any draft and encouraged abstention as a means to respect differing opinions.
He further stated that achieving the passage of all five amnesty bills through the first reading and into the second reading is vital. The focus should not be on expressing disagreement but on confirming the necessity of an amnesty law for Thailand. Today’s vote, he insisted, is about finding a collective solution and achieving mutual harmony rather than expressing loyalty or disloyalty.
Addressing concerns about discriminatory aspects of the amnesty law, Mr. Nattapong appealed to all parties to consider the proposed voting approach as a viable path forward. He noted the discomfort among some parties regarding the amnesty under Section 112 but urged further discussion in the second reading.
In response to queries about the Palang Pracharath Party’s stance, Mr. Nattapong acknowledged the discomfort some feel regarding Section 112. He called for coalition parties to abstain from voting on uncomfortable bills rather than opposing them outright, which would prevent other sectors from being considered.
Regarding the Thai Sang Thai Party’s proposal for resolving Section 112 charges through “royal pardon” and a committee to prevent political harassment, Mr. Nattapong expressed openness to considering these ideas. He noted that today’s vote marks the acceptance of the principles for four drafts, excluding the Bhumjaithai Party’s, and urged an open-minded approach to allow detailed discussion in committee sessions during the second reading.