Bangkok Post

The proposed legislation, which is 27th on the House agenda, was earlier expected to be moved up for consideration by the House of Representatives tomorrow, May 30.

This prompted the yellow-shirt People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) to plan a gathering at the Royal Plaza tomorrow before moving to a position in front of parliament to protest against the bill in the afternoon.

Somsak Kiatsuranont (Photo by Pattarachai Preechapanich)

Mr Somsak said although the House might vote to move the bill forward for consideration first, the House regulations stipulate that the item can be deliberated one day after of its being moved up the agenda list.

So, the House is expected to begin debating the reconciliation bill on Thursday, May 31, he said.

Three drafts of the reconciliation bill were reported to have been submitted to the House - one by Matubhum Party leader Sonthi Boonyaratkalin, one by MPs of the Pheu Thai Party, and the other by the red-shirt United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD).

Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yubamrung said he would not yet submit his bill to the House because other Pheu Thai MPs had already submitted their bills, although not in the name of the party.

He also said he had instructed police not to use force in maintaining law and order during the PAD rally on Wednesday.

Deputy Prime Minister Yongyuth Wichaidit said today he did not believe  the move to push the passage of a reconciliation bill would further widen conflict in society.