The House of Representatives yesterday voted overwhelmingly in favour of amending a law to better protect witnesses in criminal cases.
In the House, 301 MPs voted in favour of a bill to amend the Protection of Witnesses in Criminal Cases Act.
After clearing the first reading, the cabinet-sponsored bill now goes to a 25-member scrutiny committee which will spend up to seven days vetting the legislation.
During the debate that preceded the vote, Justice Minister Somsak Thepsutin said several sections of the bill were subject to change.
The definition of witnesses will be broadened to cover informants and plaintiffs in criminal cases.
Section 6 will be changed to authorise agencies responsible for providing protection to witnesses to assess witness' safety.
Section 10 will also be amended to allow the authorities to change information in a witness' domicile registration if necessary to keep the details confidential.
Meanwhile, Section 12 will be modified so that the Witness Protection Bureau (WPB) can propose ending witness protection programmes for an individual.
In Section 13, a change will be made stipulating the WPB is duty-bound to train people in taking charge of protecting witnesses.
The amendment will also give other agencies the power to offer remedial assistance to witnesses.
Law enforcement officials will have the authority to search and impound vehicles or detain anyone suspected of causing harm to a witness.
In Section 17, an amendment will make witnesses eligible for reimbursement of travel expenses incurred by making trips to provide statements to authorities.
Mr Somsak said the amendments were necessary because certain sections in the Act were not practical, adding the law needs updating to be fairer to witnesses.