BANGKOK, March 7 – A group of Thai MPs in the government bloc proposed an amnesty bill to parliament Thursday, seeking to pardon those convicted in political demonstrations and related unrest.
Pheu Thai Samut Prakarn MP Vorachai Hema submitted the bill, endorsed by 42 MPs, to House Speaker Somsak Kiatsuranond and said the proposed amnesty involves civilians of all political factions as well as state personnel.
Core leaders in political protests and former premier Thaksin Shinawatra are excluded from the pardon, he said, calling on the opposition Democrat Party to refraining from blocking the move.
The House speaker said the bill will be given to next week’s parliamentary meeting but would not commit if it will be deliberated together with pending amnesty bills proposed earlier by other MPs.
Mr Somsak said he would not withdraw pending amnesty bills as proposed by the Democrat Party and the People’s Alliance for Democracy.
