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Bid to seek amnesty for Thaksin 'likely to fail'

A campaign by People Power Party MPs to pass a law granting amnesty to former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra was shot down even by party's members yesterday.



Democrat Party chief advisor Chuan Leekpai yesterday said he believed the PPP would not dare to propose the amnesty law.

He said some PPP MPs were just trying to please their boss or their financier but would realise that such a legislation was inappropriate after giving it deep thought.

"They would not dare to go against the feeling of the people in the whole country. Whatever they say now, when times come they do not do what they say,'' he said.

Chuan said seeking amnesty for Thaksin was absolutely not right. "If someone commit offence and do not have to accept the consequences, the problems will never end,'' he said.

He said it was not easy to lobby or interfere with the justice system compared to the time when Thaksin was still in power. "People who used to lobby judges are not happy because now they cannot do whatever they want to.''

Chuan dismissed the claim by Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat that PPP MPs might propose the amnesty in their personal capacity because as party leader, he must take responsibility for party MPs' action.

Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva warned against a deeper wedge in society if PPP MPs would launch the campaign to help Thaksin.

"Politics should not trespass on the judicial process because this will erode confidence and trigger confusion," he said.

Abhisit said all politicians were obligated to serve the public rather than trample with the law.

Chart Thai Party leader Banharn Silapa-archa refused to say if he would support the amnesty legislation to help Thaksin. "I have not seen the amnesty law in detail and I would like to see the reason behind the move,'' he said.

PPP Yasothon MP Peerapan Palusuk said he disagreed with the proposal by PPP Khon Kaen MP Panya Sripanya to pass the amnesty law for Thaksin, saying the move would bring more problems to the country.

He said the aim of issuing law to help particular person or group was not right. "If the MP adamantly pushes forward his proposal, Thaksin would face the negative result and the move would meet great opposition. If they want to, they should not specify any group or grant amnesty to the People's Alliance for Democracy too,'' he said.

Senate Speaker Prasopsuk Boondet said the idea of issuing law for one person was not possible. "Law is to be enforced for general public otherwise it is not law. There is no country in the world with such law,'' he said.

PPP Nakhon Ratchasima MP Boonjong Wongtrairat, a member of Newin group said his group disagreed with Panya but personally he believed Panya's proposal would only fuel the fire with oil.

PPP Roi Et MP Sakda Kongpet, I-san Pattana faction member said he believed many members of his faction would support the amnesty law to help Thaksin because all northeastern MPs had promised to their constituents that if they win the election they would help Thaksin through amnesty.

"We can get several thousands of people to support the amnesty legislation within a few days because they want Thaksin to return and work for the country,'' he said.

Opposition whip chairman Sathit Wongnongtoey said the move to pass amnesty law for Thaksin was unconstitutional and went against parliamentary ethics as it aims at helping certain person or group.

Somchai insisted the proposal was proposed on a personal basis, not by the party. "It is not the party's responsibility because it is proposed by individuals. But finally can the proposal be done or not, it is up to the law,'' he said.


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