Govt backs new amnesty bill

Thailand's government coalition has agreed to endorse Senate amendments to a bill designed to foster a peaceful society and offer amnesty. This move aims to de-escalate politically motivated conflicts that have embroiled the nation.

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the coalition had resolved to accept the Senate's revisions because they merely refined the wording without altering the bill's core principles or legislative intent as previously approved by the House of Representatives.

Chief government whip Korrawee Prissananantakul stated that the coalition accepted the Senate's revisions, viewing them as refinements to wording rather than alterations to the bill's fundamental principles or legislative intent. These principles were previously approved by the House of Representatives.

While coalition parties plan further internal discussions before the upcoming House vote, the government's stance remains firm. Opposition representatives had informally suggested forming a joint committee to review the amended bill. However, the government whip concluded that the Senate's revisions, consisting solely of additional wording, did not necessitate such a joint deliberation.

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after considering the Senate's revisions, the government whip concluded they did not affect the legislation's essential provisions, as the amendments consisted only of additional wording, leaving no justification for a joint committee.

Manaporn Charoensri, deputy leader of the Pheu Thai Party, indicated that coalition members reached a consensus after debating Senate amendments related to lese-majeste offenses under Section 112 of the Criminal Code. Despite a slightly differing view within Pheu Thai, the party prioritized expediency, believing further delays would postpone relief for more than 6,000 people entangled in politically charged cases.

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the coalition members had been able to reach a common view after debating the Senate's amendments concerning lese-majeste offences under Section 112 of the Criminal Code.

Ms. Charoensri added that the bill had undergone thorough scrutiny by a House special committee and subsequent Senate review, rendering another joint deliberation redundant. Pheu Thai also accepted the Senate's decision to exclude Section 112 offenses from the bill, even though earlier proposals aimed to enhance protections for offenders under 18. Existing juvenile and family court mechanisms, along with other laws, are deemed sufficient safeguards for minors.

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further delay would postpone relief for more than 6,000 people involved in politically related cases.