MPs hatch plan to push amnesty bill

MPs hatch plan to push amnesty bill

GROUP RECEIVED 'SIGNAL' TO PROCEED

A group of Pheu Thai MPs will propose that Worachai Hema's amnesty bill be pushed to the top of the agenda on Thursday in a move that is expected to stir heated debate in parliament.Pheu Thai MP Mr Worachai has been angling to have his version of the amnesty bill _ which would cover a broad range of people accused of taking part in political violence since 2006 _ pushed forward for urgent scrutiny.

Government whips will meet on Wednesday to discuss the MPs' proposal, said Udomdet Rattanasathian, an adviser to the whips.

Mr Udomdet said it is too early to tell whether consideration of the draft will be scheduled sooner because government MPs are split over the issue.

"Opinions are mixed and the coalition partners haven't talked about it. I can't really say how it will turn out," he said.

The bill, one of the eight drafts which have been proposed, has been slotted as the second-last item on the parliament's agenda and awaits its first reading vote.

Pheu Thai MP for Udon Thani Somkid Chuekhong, one of 42 red shirt Pheu Thai MPs backing the amnesty bill, supported the move to put Mr Worachai's version forward for debate immediately, saying his group has received a "signal" to proceed.

"No matter what happens we will have the amnesty bill moved up [on the agenda]. We received a go signal from a phuyai [senior figure] in the party," he said.

Mr Somkid said his group would propose that the bill be brought forward during Thursday's parliament session. The move is widely welcomed by party members.

Chief government whip Amnuay Khlangpha said it takes only 20 supporting MPs to move the bill up the agenda if there are no objections. If there is an objection, the support of at least 250 MPs is needed.

Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva wants to see the draft amnesty bills dropped to avoid further political tension.

Mr Abhisit said it would be a relatively calm period when the parliament goes into recess next Saturday.

He said the government should try to maintain that calm atmosphere when the extraordinary session convenes in late May to debate the budget bill for the 2014 fiscal year.

"If the government shuffles its priorities and pushes for amnesty bills or charter amendment drafts for deliberation during the special session, tensions will rise again," he said.

"The best approach is to freeze all these activities.

"And during the parliament break those who proposed the bills should be convinced to drop them," Mr Abhisit said.

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