A green light to ransack the country

It would “destroy the country’s moral and ethical code and severely damage society”, as ACT chairman Pramon Suthivong said. It would forgive all those involved in incidents related to political unrest over the past nine years – including murder, assassination and corruption. It goes far beyond saying merely “Go thou and sin no more”, saying instead, “What you did was not wrong.”

ACT members, drawn from every leading business association in Thailand, are focusing on the graft aspect, since the amnesty bill would overrule Supreme Court convictions on corruption and open the way for more such acts in the future. No modern society or religion advocates such a course, yet that is what Pheu Thai wants.

If a company sponsors training for its staff to combat rampant robbery of its stores, all would applaud, especially its shareholders, since they would understand that their company could no longer endure otherwise. 

Similarly, firms should support any staff members who wish to oppose the amnesty bill through legal means. Just as a company should have in place anti-theft measures rather than letting its staff fight crooks on its own, firms should organise measures enabling those who wish to do so express their opposition in effective, legal ways. They might, for example, rearrange schedules so that customer service is not unduly affected. They could provide transportation and legal advice on respecting the rights of all.

This bill cannot pass, for it utterly destroys law and order. 

Burin Kantabutra

Bangkok