A chance for Yingluck to get the upper hand

The prime minister, having “dropped all of the amnesty bills” and requested that demonstrations against the government be terminated, is now in a difficult position. 

The Senate accepted the amnesty bill on Friday but lacked a quorum only because 40 anti-bill senators did not turn up but will get a second bite today. The prime minister has been photographed with Nattawut et al as friends again after they abstained from voting on the bill. That Nattawut et al worked out that voting for an amnesty for themselves would put them in trouble does not mean they will desert their paymaster at the ballot box. 

Now Anuwat Thinnarat, chairman of the red-shirt United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship, no doubt acting on his “own initiative”, is bringing out the bully boys again. As in 2006, if any anti-government protestor is injured or dies as a result, it will not reflect on police action or the government and will soon be forgotten. 

It is an opportunity for Yingluck to show she is in charge by confirming that the bills are dropped and putting the red shirts back in their 

box to gain the high ground against the anti-government protesters.

Richard Bowler

Bangkok