Thread: PPP wants to Increase Lese Majeste Penalties

Govt warned to pass key laws

Failure may lead to impeachment

MANOP THIP-OSOD


The opposition is pressing the government to speed up enactment of 30 key organic laws, including those governing people's rights and liberties, ''before its time runs out''. Opposition chief whip Sathit Wongnongtoei yesterday called on the government to quickly promulgate new laws on people's rights and liberties.

The Democrat party MP said he saw some problems with the way the People Power party-led coalition government was handling the process of proposing draft legislation to parliament.

After about six months in office, the government still has not tabled before parliament any key laws on people's rights and liberties as required by the 2007 constitution, said Mr Sathit. In fact, the process has not even started.

The charter required the government to pass altogether 30 new organic laws within the deadlines that were fast approaching, he warned.

Among the 30 laws are, for example, those on free education, legal reform, and reform of the judicial system.

The government has not yet proposed any of these key laws to parliament, he said. On the contrary, it recently withdrew a draft bill on the telecoms industry from parliament's agenda despite the fact the government is required by the charter to pass this law within 80 days after making its policy statement in parliament.

The government is obliged by the constitution to promulgate the 30 laws. If it fails to do so, people affected by delays in their enactment could sue the government in court, which could lead to impeachment of the entire administration, Mr Sathit warned.

He suggested the government sort out its priorities and put the 30 laws at the top of its agenda.

Meanwhile, government chief whip Samart Kaewmeechai said he willl soon talk to People Power party MP Jumpot Bunyai, who is proposing to parliament a draft amendment to Article 112 of the Criminal Code seeking to increase penalties for lese majeste offences.

Mr Samart said MPs who want to propose draft bills must first seek approval from the government whip.

He will ask Mr Jumpot on Monday to explain why he is forwarding the draft bill without consulting the whip.

Article 112 of the Criminal Code says whoever defames, insults or threatens the King, the Queen, the Heir-Apparent or the Regent shall be punished with imprisonment of three to 15 years.

Meanwhile, government chief whip Samart Kaewmeechai said he willl soon talk to People Power party MP Jumpot Bunyai, who is proposing to parliament a draft amendment to Article 112 of the Criminal Code seeking to increase penalties for lese majeste offences.

makes me think who he wants to get rid of

"PPP wants to Increase Lese Majeste Penalties"

Not exactly. Not the party. One PPP member, who isn't even checking with his chief whip, is submitting sole members' bill.

Realise you're devoting all your day sifting the web looking for Thai stories to copy and paste here. And you're doing a great unpaid job!

However, gotta get those headlines right ! Someone with your long and distinguished career in broadcasting knows all about that ! Tally ho !

I thought there was a maximum sentence of 25 years for a lese majeste offence?

And this clown wants an increase?

Bonkers.

who are the PPP, the po plux plan?

Originally Posted by Thormaturge

replaced with more capable leaders

WHO ??????

Originally Posted by Thormaturge

The balance of payments is heading South.
Inflation is gathering pace
The staggering road death toll continues unabated
corruption is rampant

...and this government is mucking about arguing over an ancient temple which isn't theirs to argue over, and lese majeste laws which are irrelevant because HM King pardons those found guilty anyway.

You are ignoring Thai face over all other matters. They can legislate against insulting the King and introduce Life Imprisonment, the Death Penalty, Burning at the Stake etc. for this, but are impotent against the wordwide ecomonic crisis and Thai driving mahem (amongst other issues)...

Originally Posted by jandajoy

Originally Posted by Thormaturge

replaced with more capable leaders

WHO ??????

Almost everyone else.

Originally Posted by Fabian

Almost everyone else.

Or anyone....