Coalition vows not to revisit bill

In another bid to restore public trust, the ruling coalition vowed in writing yesterday not to reaffirm the controversial amnesty bill earlier backed by the government, if it was rejected by the Senate this coming week.

The public promise was announced at a press conference held by leaders of the Pheu Thai, Chart Pattana, Chart Thai Pattana and Palang Chon parties at Pheu Thai’s headquarters. Leaders of the coalition parties also presented their written agreements in an attempt to demonstrate that they had actually made the promise.

The ruling Pheu Thai Party and its three coalition partners signed the official oath yesterday not to support the controversial blanket amnesty bill. The move was led by Pheu Thai leader Jarupong Ruangsuwan and leaders of Chart Thai Pattana, Palang Chon and senior executives of the Pheu Thai party, including deputy premier Phongthep Thepkanjana.

They argued that there was nothing they could do at the moment as the matter was now in the hands of the Senate, but the coalition partners vowed not to revisit the bill if it was returned by the Senate, even though they were entitled to reaffirm it within 180 days. 

Meanwhile, the People’s Army to Overthrow Thaksin Regime (PAOTR) declared yesterday that its goal now was not just to oppose the blanket amnesty but to overthrow the Yingluck Shinawatra government and to rid the Kingdom of what they believe to be Thaksin Shinawatra’s political order.

PAOTR leader Somkiat Pongpaiboon, a former co-leader of the now defunct People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD), said the group would now call on all Thais from all provinces to converge at Phan Fah bridge on Rajdamnoen Avenue to overthrow the government. 

The announcement was made at 11am yesterday as various groups continued to oppose the blanket amnesty bill. The group accused the Yingluck administration of only serving Thaksin’s interests. It also demanded the government not recognise the jurisdiction of the International Court of Justice, 

which is scheduled to rule on disputed areas around Preah Vihear Temple.

The opposition Democrat Party accused the Pheu Thai Party of not being sincere in abandoning the blanket amnesty bill. Chavanond Intarakomalyasut, the party’s spokesperson, said he did not believe that this retreat is for good and warned the issue could reignite conflicts if the government decided to revive the bill again in the future. Chavanond also expressed concerns over possible clashes between red shirts and anti-government protesters, now that the reds are calling for their own rally today. 

In a related development, the red-shirt Democratic Alliance Against Democracy will meet in a show of force at 4pm at Supachalasai Stadium while the Red Sunday group of red shirts will try to muster 10,000 red shirts opposing the blanket amnesty bill at the Ratchaprasong intersection at noon today.

Some 30,000 red shirts from the Northeastern region are also preparing to enter Bangkok today at yet another site at Muang Thong Thani, said Anuwat Tinraj, chairman of the movement for the Northeastern region. Anuwat assured there would be no confrontation between reds and anti-government protesters.

The demonstrations this time, said Anuwat, “is a show of force to protect the elected Pheu Thai government”. Opponents of the amnesty bill, Anuwat said, have now changed their goal from opposing the bill to overthrowing the government. He said the group would only stay for one night in Bangkok. The Udon Thani faction of red shirts, led by Kwanchai Praipana, said they won’t be joining other Northeastern people today. They, however, will focus on making red shirts in the Northeast understand the current debate about the amnesty bill.