Democrats to vote against first two amnesty bills before House

The Democrat Party will vote against two amnesty bills expected to have their first reading in the House on Aug 7, opposition chief whip Jurin Laksanavisit said yesterday.

Mr Jurin said the opposition, with the exception of the Bhumjaithai Party, decided at a meeting yesterday to vote against the bills.

Bhumjaithai, the second-largest opposition party, will discuss the matter at its party meeting today, he added.

Seven bills related to the amnesty issue are now on the House agenda. They comprise five reconciliation bills — the most recent proposed by Labour Minister Chalerm Yubamrung — and two amnesty bills — one proposed by Pheu Thai MP Worachai Hema and the other by Pheu Thai MP Niyom Worapanya.

Mr Jurin said the bills proposed by Mr Worachai and Mr Niyom are likely to be deliberated together on Aug 7.

He said the Democrats would vote against the bills because they seek an amnesty for those who committed terrorism, arson of public and private property, murder and lese majeste.

Mr Jurin said the party believes the bills would deepen divisions, with the opponents of the proposed laws gearing up to rally against them.

National Security Council (NSC) chief Paradorn Pattanatabut said yesterday measures were in place to cope with the rallies. Parliament is due to reconvene tomorrow.

Lt Gen Paradorn said fewer than 10,000 protesters are expected to take part in a planned anti-government rally on Sunday. The self-styled ‘‘People’s Army’’ group plans to begin an ‘‘anti-Thaksin regime’’ rally that day.

There are no reports of any schemes to lay siege to government offices during the protests, but contingency plans have been prepared, he said.

The NSC chief said he would not recommend the use of the Internal Security Act to counter the protesters.

Red shirts calling themselves the People’s Radio Media Group began to gather in front of the parliament building on Monday ahead of the reopening of parliament, in support of legislation to amend the constitution and offer an amnesty to offenders involved in the 2010 political violence.

Pheu Thai spokesman Prompong Nopparit stressed that parliament would not deliberate the Worachai bill tomorrow.

The bill would not cover ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra, protest leaders and those who ordered soldiers to crack down on protesters.