Thai FM opposes amnesty bill for serious offenses

Thai Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya, during his mission to attend the UN General Assembly in New York, said on Tuesday he did not agree with the amnesty bill proposed by the coalition Bhumjaithai Party if it will pardon the lawbreakers, National News Bureau of Thailand reported.

The Foreign Minister stated that the full details of the amnesty bill must be thoroughly reviewed and that it must clearly specify who should be eligible for the amnesty. He personally viewed that those who committed serious crime, incited violence, or avoided criminal prosecution should not be included in the eligibility list.

The amnesty bill was proposed by main coalition Bhumjaithai Party but, on Sept. 16, it could not pass in favor of the government whip for consideration in the parliament because Democrat Party, the largest coalition partner, was against the bill saying it may clear some people from serious offenses.

Bhumjaithai Party said on Tuesday that it will, together with Chartthai Pattana Party, submit the draft and name list of 50,000 people to the Cabinet for further consideration, once the bill revision is completed.

Source: Xinhua