Abhisit opposes transfer of red-shirt prisoners to separate facility

Director-general of the Corrections Department, Suchart Wong-ananchai, revealed the plan after Arisman turned himself in to police and failed to get bail. 

Abhisit, the Democrat leader, said he was checking whose idea it really was. It has been claimed to have been proposed by the committee following up on the work and proposals of the Truth for Reconciliation Commission of Thailand (TRCT).

The follow-up committee is chaired by Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Yongyuth Wichaidit. 

It needs careful consideration, Abhisit said. It made sense that people accused of violating the emergency decree, such as for public gathering, would be transferred. But treating the red shirts, who allegedly committed crimes, would cause more problems in society.

Unless the plan was reconsidered, it would become “double standard”, he said.

“The TRCT must come out and confirm if it was its idea. If the government goes on with its plan [to transfer the red-shirt detainees to a special prison], not only would it not bring about reconciliation, but it would also bring the country to chaos. One would do anything to get what one wants politically, without caring for the laws, and then claim it was a political charge. I agree with political expression but it must be within the law,” he said.

Reacting to Abhisit’s comment, TRCT chairman Kanit na Nakhon said that those who violated the laws during the political turmoil did that as a political violation. Although they are not political prisoners, they should be treated better than ordinary criminals so that the conflicting parties have good feelings towards each other. 

“Changing the detention venue is for the government to decide. TRCT just proposes its opinions according to the principle, which was not meant to favour anyone,” he said.

Kanit said his committee had proposed since September to prepare a special place for detainees on political charges.