PAD vows to thwart govt on Thaksin pardon

The PAD will gather outside the Council of State tomorrowon Monday to protest the Yingluck Cabinet’s move to alter a Royal Decree concerning this year’s annual pardon in order to benefit Thaksin.
PAD spokesman Panthep Puapongpan said the group would oppose the move by the Cabinet, which on Tuesday approved a draft Royal Decree for the 2011 royal pardon incorporating changes that would help Thaksin avoid serving a two-year jail sentence handed down in 2008 for a conflict-of-interest conviction in the Ratchadapisek land case.
The group will also file a complaint with the Ombudsman to seek a clarification on whether the move is unconstitutional. The PAD will also urge the Privy Council not to advise His Majesty the King to bestow a pardon until the constitutionality of the draft legislation becomes clear.
The PAD will also file a complaint with the National Counter Corruption Commission calling for legal action against the Cabinet over the move, which the alliance says is illegal.
“We hope the Cabinet reviews its draft royal pardon decree for 2011 and follows customs and the rule of law. People who deserve a pardon are those who repent and behave,’’ Panthep said.
Panthep said every Royal Decree on pardons has stipulated that they only apply to those who are over 60 years old and have served jail terms over five years or one third of their sentences. The Democrat-led previous government amended the Royal Pardon Law in 2010 by incorporating Article 6(2), which stipulates that only those with no more than three years of their sentences left to serve are eligible for release.
The Yingluck government has maintained Article 6(2) because it believes it qualifies Thaksin for release. Thaksin is 62 years old and was only sentenced to a two-year jail term. Panthep said the government may remove Article 4, which stipulates that only those currently in detention are eligible for a pardon.
PAD leader Chamlong Srimuang said the red shirts’ vows to step up their campaign in support of the pardon would not deter his group from demonstrating its readiness to protect the monarchy.
PAD leader Pipop Thongchai called on the Council of State, the Office of His Majesty’s Principle Private Secretary, the Privy Council and the military to take stands on the issue to prevent further political conflict.
Senator Somchai Sawaengkarn said it was not right for the government to claim that 15 million voters support its plan to push for a pardon for Thaksin.
He said Pheu Thai’s mandate was to govern the country, not to do anything it wants. Although the government has the right to amend laws, it must follow the rule of law and custom.
“The government must respect the people’s feelings, the rule of law and Thai customs. Having majority support does not mean the government can pass laws that are unacceptable to the public,’’ he said.
Last year’s Royal Decree pardoning prisoners to mark the monarch’s birthday excluded people convicted of drug trading and corruption.
Meanwhile, Udon Thani red shirt leader Kwanchai Praipana said red shirt supporters would launch a movement in support of a pardon for Thaksin and backing Yingluck in Udon Thani today (Nov20), in Khon Kaen tomorrow and in Maha Sarakham on Tuesday.
A group of 500 red shirts gathered in front of Khon Kaen City Hall yesterday and vowed to collect 50,000 signatures on a petition in support of a pardon.
More than 1,000 red shirts in Mukdahan rallied in front of the city hall there yesterday to support a pardon and give moral support to the Yingluck government.