BANGKOK, Apr 15 – The Thai government’s move to issue an amnesty law may lead to political unrest in the country, a former deputy prime minister warned today.
Opposition Democrat MP from Surat Thani Suthep Thaugsubhan said the present government will not survive its four-year term unless Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra proves to the Thai people her administration’s sincerity in working for the national interest without corruption and with strong determination to prevent any moves against the monarchy.
If the government continues with enacting the law on amnesty, an internal upheaval will be inevitable, he said.
The ruling Pheu Thai party will meet Wednesday to discuss a proposal to submit the amnesty bill to the House of Representatives.
Some party MPs claimed that Ms Yingluck and her brother, ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, have given their blessings to the move.
They wanted the proposed bill to be deliberated in the Lower House before April 20 when the currently parliamentary session goes into recess.
The bill seeks to grant amnesty to activists and protesters charged with breaching various laws in a series of political conflicts after the 2006 coup in Thailand. Most of the violators are members of the pro-government Red Shirt group.
