BANGKOK, 22 October 2013 The Senate has expressed its concern over the Amnesty Bill being scrutinized by a parliamentary committee, saying that the matter could further raise a political tension while calling on Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra to quickly address the issue.
The concerns emerged during a Senate session presided by the President of the Senate, Nikhom Wairatchapanitch. The Monday meeting aimed at discussing several currently pressing political issues, particularly the Amnesty Bill.
Mr. Jate Sirataranont, an appointed senator, voiced his concerns that by approving the bill might challenge the anti-Government demonstrators currently staging a rally in the capital, to further escalate the gathering. He thus asked the Prime Minister to give priority attention to the issue.
Secretary of the Amnesty Bill Scrutiny Committee Chavalit Wichaisut clarified that the amendment to Section 3 would not benefit former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, but it was made to address the unjust and unpleasant consequences from the coup d’etat. He reaffirmed the amnesty bill would not provide any financial gain or legal solution for corrupted politicians, saying anyone who sees that the law is unconstitutional can file for the court’s interpretation later on.
Deputy Government Spokesperson, Lieutenant Sunisa Lertpakawat, urged the opposition leader Abhisit Vejjajiva to refrain from accusing the premier of involvement in the amnesty bill, saying details of the interpretation are entirely depending on the scrutiny committee.
