Threat of mass protests hangs over amnesty bill

Though it failed to stop the government camp from passing the bill in its first reading, the opposition has demonstrated its potential to mobilise the masses and lead anti-government rallies. It also wants to prove that many people are ready to come out against the amnesty bill if it appears the government has a hidden agenda to help fugitive ex-prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

Fearing the opposition posed a serious threat to what critics call the “Thaksin regime”, the government decided to impose the Internal Security Act in inner areas of Bangkok to prevent protesters from reaching Government House and Parliament.

Critics said the government was overreacting, and that the imposition of the act inconvenienced the public by blocking roads. But government strategists said it was better to nip the problem in the bud, as an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. 

The Democrats knew that with only 163 votes, they could not stop the government camp from passing the bill, and that its first street rally against the legislation was just an “appetiser”. 

But senior Democrat Suthep Thaugsuban has warned that if the government pushes this bill to whitewash Thaksin and help him return unpunished, the party was preparing a knockout punch should the bill pass in the third reading.

One wonders what this knockout punch Suthep refers to could be. The only thing many can think of is mega street protests.

Soon after the bill passed the first reading, government leaders and Pheu Thai MPs quickly dismissed speculation that they would merge controversial reconciliation bills or other amnesty bills with the bill proposed by Pheu Thai Samut Prakan MP Worachai Hema.

They also ruled out the possibility that the bill would cover people who committed lese majeste offences. 

The House committee vetting the bill expects a heated debate on what offences should be covered by the amnesty. While some lawmakers say that laying siege to Parliament and Government House are political cases that should be entitled to amnesty, others say burning down provincial halls is a serious crime that cannot be allowed to go unpunished.

They reasoned that extending amnesty to such convicts would set a precedent that would not bode well for the country’s future. While Worachai’s bill covers only protesters, not protest leaders, others fear such a distinction could be regarded as discrimination and may be deemed unconstitutional.

Government leaders breathed a sigh of relief when the bill passed the first reading without incident. They have two major steps left, which they believe will not be difficult legally as they have a majority in the House. However, the battle outside Parliament could be fierce.

If the government does not keep its word, and instead resorts to underhanded tactics to help Thaksin, the Democrats may not have to resort to mass mobilisation. Other anti-government protesters such as the People’s Alliance for Democracy, the multi-coloured shirts and the white-maskers would all take to the street to oppose the legislation.