Thread: Amnesty for Former TRT Executives?

Junta Leader to Sponsor Amnesty for Former Thai Rak Thai Executives

Council for National Security chairman says an amnesty law could provide a way for former Thai Rak Thai executives to remain in politics.

Speaking on the Public Relations Department's program on channel 11 last night, Council for National Security chairman Sonthi Boonyaratglin revealed that the 111 former executives from the Thai Rak Thai who recently had their political rights revoked, could still remain in political circles.

General Sonthi said that if the CNS withdraws the Council for Democratic Reform's 15th and 27th announcements forbidding political party activities and the establishment of new political entities, the defunct TRT officials could have a chance to run in the next election.

Sonthi believes that the lifting of the ban would allow politics to move torward reconciliation. He added that when the CNS abolishes the announcements, the government will need to propose an amnesty law and present it to the National Legislative Assembly to implement the draft into an act.

However, the CNS chairman admitted that, ultimately, the decision rested on the prime minister and the cabinet members.

The general insisted that allowing an amnesty law aimed to mollify the current political crisis, not bow to pressure asserted by political groups.

The chairman revealed he has already held a preliminary discussion with the Prime Minister on the matter, and the PM agreed that he wants to see peace restored in society. General SONTHI said the timing of the enactment of an amnesty law depends on the government's and the National Legislative Assembly's procedures.

Meanwhile, Election Commissioner Sodsri Satayathum pointed out that if the Cabinet endorses the initiative and presents it to the NLA, the act will be implemented in a month, or two months' time at the latest.

Thailand Outlook Channel

You what?

Typical Thailand.

Freaking monkey show, the whole lot of em.

What a waste of time/resources/emotions and energy.

E. G.

Clever move.
It will stop all revolts and demonstrations if the politicians THINK they are getting a let-off in two months time.
He hasn't promised anything yet

Originally Posted by Thetyim

It will stop all revolts and demonstrations if the politicians THINK they are getting a let-off in two months time.

Yes.

Originally Posted by hillbilly

the defunct TRT officials could have a chance to run in the next election.

Wouldn't surprise me if the amnesty gets slightly delayed, a party has to be registered 3 months before the election if it wants to participate.
I doubt that the TRT politicians will be allowed to run in the next election..

The 5 year ban has eliminated them from 2 elections, the amnesty will prolly change that to 1.

This is one of the reasons that Thailand does not have rule-of-law. Statements like this from Sonthi are irresponsible & weaken the position of the Courts. I'm beginning to tire of this Sonthi's recent number of rash statements - his dark side has begun to emerge. The folks would do well to kick him out in the not-too-distant future, before he starts with his own career aspirations.

This place goes round in circles & history keeps on repeating itself - since 1932.

Originally Posted by Bangkok Post

Should Gen Sonthi be allowed to have his way to pardon "The Thai Rak Thai 111," months of the tribunal's deliberation of the historic case, condensed into 10 hours of verdict reading, would amount to a total waste.
When Council for National Security commander Sonthi Boonyaratkalin floated the idea of seeking amnesty for the banned executives of the now-defunct Thai Rak Thai party, many were left scratching their heads and wondering about the real intentions of the top brass.

The idea was obviously ill-timed and ill-conceived and top brass are inviting trouble by defending the idea as a reconciliatory move. So what was running through Gen Sonthi's mind when he was struck with the idea of a pardon?

Where is the sanctity of the Constitution Tribunal's verdict and respect for the institution entrusted to deliver justice so lacking in today's free-wheeling politics?

It does not appear to make an ounce of sense to defend the idea as a reconciliatory move either. It should be a matter of letting justice take its course and making the wrongdoers face the consequences.

At first, it gave the impression that the tables had finally turned with the Thai Rak Thai suddenly going under. But when Gen Sonthi was seen to be trying to rescue the party executives from a five-year ban, during which period they would be barred from engaging in any political activities as a result of their alleged involvement in electoral fraud in the April 2 general election, even the wisest political pundits were baffled.

Deposed prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra happens to be one of the 111 banned executives.

It is all the more puzzling why a pardon was even being mentioned when it was the CNS which was the one which had spent so much energy and effort in preventing Mr Thaksin's return to power.

Gen Sonthi has reasoned in his own defence in calling for a pardon that not all the TRT executives had a hand in the bankrolling of small parties that took part in the general election to help Thai Rak Thai. But the executives should be held accountable, both in theory and practice, because they had proceeded together as a team. One simply could not distance oneself from the pack for a collective decision gone wrong.

Gen Sonthi, according to a source, said a certain individual, whom he refused to name, had recommended the amnesty idea to him. Could the amnesty idea be the CNS' response to a verdict which defied its expectations?

The CNS was said to have been inclined to believe that both the Thai Rak Thai and Democrat parties would be dissolved.

The CNS could have analysed some significant events incorrectly, including His Majesty the King's address to the Supreme Administrative Court judges, which had taken place prior to the May 30 judgement day, and concluded that the tribunal would only punish individual executives linked to election fraud and spare the parties from dissolution.

There are others who also believe that the CNS could have influenced the tribunal's decision on the case. It had been reported that Gen Sonthi had met Supreme Administrative Court president Ackaratorn Chularat, concurrently the Constitution Tribunal vice-president, on May 29. Gen Sonthi, however, denied that he was lobbying Mr Ackaratorn over the dissolution trial, saying it was a casual get-together of two Muslims for a round of merit-making.

But will anyone buy it?

The outcome of the trial, however, has led to perceptions that the CNS sided with the Democrats, which pulled through, as a reward for the party's support of the Sept 19 military coup which toppled Mr Thaksin.

A source in the CNS has insisted that this was not the case as the dissolution verdict against Thai Rak Thai, which is the Democrats' gain, could also bring trouble for the CNS in the long run.

An army source close to the CNS said support at the polls could now swing in the Democrats' favour although questions remained about its leader Abhisit Vejjajiva's ability to run the country as prime minister.

If Mr Abhisit proves to be a weak leader, Mr Thaksin would make a comeback sooner than expected, and that would also mean trouble for the CNS.

To fight that future adversary, it would be unreasonable then not to build some political immunity. To do so may require establishing a connection with politicians so as to capitalise on their backing later.

The Matchima group headed by Somsak Thepsuthin, a former Thai Rak Thai stalwart also listed as one of the 111 banned executives, is thought to be in regular contact with the CNS.

In fact, Gen Sonthi and Defence Minister Gen Boonrawd Somtas have already discussed the country's political affairs with Mr Somsak and other Matchima leaders, including Phinij Jarusombat and Preecha Laohapongchana, on many occasions.

Some of the TRT politicians were hoping that the council would at least help to protect them from the five-year political activities ban, and that included Mr Somsak, who ''felt cheated,'' said the source. The May 30 verdict has halted the political manoeuvrings for now, unless, of course, an amnesty is passed to get the ball rolling again.

An un-named source suggesting an un-named individual initiated the move????

So many agendas.

The saga of the Banana Fifedom continues... (sigh)

Actually I am not that critical of it- uphold the rule of law, preserving the face of the Courts, the Gov't and even the King.
Then commit a predesignated 'benign act' behind the scenes to preserve harmony, and display benevolence. The Thai/Buddhist Principle of Harmony in action.
Of course, under our very literal western interpretation of the rule of law, it sucks. But this ain't the West, and neither does it want to be.

Precisely why this place will continue to be a mess for the next foreseeable future - it obviously doesn't work - despite all the religious smokescreens.

Suggestion 'not mine'; Suriyasai says it'd be like opening the jail

Two days after his surprise call for an amnesty for Thai Rak Thai executives strip-ped of their electoral rights, General Sonthi Boonyaratglin yesterday insisted it was not his idea.

"This idea came from outsiders. In fact the Council for National Security (CNS) chairman has no knowledge about it," said Sonthi.
The CNS chairman's apparent retraction came after a lukewarm response from Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont and uproar from supporters of last Wednesday's Constitution Tribunal decision.
That dissolved the former governing party and slapped a five-year electoral-process ban on its 111 executives.
"It's not unusual for some National Legislative Assembly members to be opposed to it, but we can say this idea originated from the NLA," Sonthi said without elaborating.
"For the CNS, this matter is already over," when asked if the junta would follow up the call for a pardon.
He said the CNS made only a proposal and was unsure who had the final say in the matter.

In a television interview on Friday night, Sonthi suggested amnesty for the disbanded party's executives. "If anything at all it's probably a question of whether all 111 executives really committed wrongdoing and whether they're all guilty," he said.

Sonthi explained yesterday he agreed to the amnesty idea on grounds many of the executives were clearly unaware of the offences cited in the electoral-fraud charges.

He added, however, that those to be pardoned should not include Thaksin Shinawatra, the former party leader and ex-prime minister overthrown in last September's coup led by Sonthi.
Of the 111 politicians affected by the ban, there are many who have left Thai Rak Thai since the coup. They are viewed as the potential political face of the CNS in the next House of Representatives, or even the next government.

Observers said the proposal to waive the five-year ban for selected Thai Rak Thai executives has strengthened the view of those who see the case as designed to politically emasculate the popular Thaksin.
"You can't have your cake and eat it. Are these people guilty or not? If you don't think they are guilty why arrange for the long and costly exercise?" Suriyasai Katasila, secretary-general of the Campaign for Popular Democracy, said.

Suriyasai yesterday expressed opposition to any amnesty.
He said although it was an act of social reconciliation, amnesty was like "opening the jail door for the inmates". The matter should be considered carefully, he said.

The CNS chief denied any interference with state agencies, in a response to perceptions decisions and moves by those organisations appear to be in line with the stance of the junta.

Meanwhile, Thai Rak Thai politicians yesterday said they would not accept amnesty if it were not clearly stated the punishment had been applied retroactively.

"I won't accept amnesty and I won't bow my head to dictatorship," said Adisorn Piengket, one of the former executives facing the ban.

The Nation

Just a guess, the amnesty will happen a few months down the track, for most of them anyway. Now is the posturing phase. We'll see.

Amnesty not applicable to Thaksin: Defence Minister
By The Nation

Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwan on Tuesday voiced support for the idea of granting amnesty for political offences although this should exclude the litigation involving ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra.

"Thaksin's legal wrangling is about criminal wrongdoing and should not be covered by the amnesty," he said.

The details of the amnesty will be vetted by Parliament which will, in turn, heed the public opinion on the issue, he said.

He said the government was trying to lift the state of emergency as soon as possible.

One by one, the gov't checks off the olive branches they had previously extended - I suspect the RTP will come next, stripping Thaksin of his police rank, for sure.

Oh, but I guess in his various supporters' views around here, Thaksin's scored major victories, or something...

^
Are you so lonely and thick that you find it necessary to answer your own posts with ignorant and uneducated garbage?

Originally Posted by gjbkk

^
Are you so lonely and thick that you find it necessary to answer your own posts with ignorant and uneducated garbage?

And of course - its only you among all - has to comment on that? Do tell us, are you secretly in love with your hero, da man Taksin? Have to protect his (lost) reputation?
I really feel kind of sorry for you!

^

People are born ignorant, not stupid. you must be the exception

Blimey gj, you're on top form tonight.

^^

seconded