Thai Senate rejects gov't-backed amnesty bill

Email|Print|Comments       twitter     facebook     Sina Microblog     reddit    

BANGKOK, Nov. 12 -- Thai Senate on Monday rejected a government-backed amnesty bill, which critics say would pave way for the return of fugitive former prime minister Thakisn Shinawatra.

The much-expected decision was made amid mounting pressure on Yingluck Shinawatra's embattled government over the contentious draft law.

In its first reading, the 140-member Upper House voted unanimously against the legislation. A total of 91 senators spoke during the 12-hour long debate session.

Following the Senate decision, the bill is expected to be frozen for 180 days then the Lower House is empowered to table it again for deliberation.

But the Pheu Thai party and its coalition partners have repeatedly promised not to push for a re-entry of the bill into the parliament, apparently in a bid to ease the growing political tension.

Earlier this month, the Lower House gave green light to the final readings of the amnesty bill, which stipulates that all political prisoners who committed crimes after the 2006 military coup would be discharged and freed, and those whose cases are still under the court process would be dropped.

The passage of the bill sparked widespread street protests in the Thai capital city for over a week. Opponents, led by the Democrat party said the bill is a thinly veiled attempt to whitewash Thaksin, brother of Yingluck widely seen as the de-facto leader of the Pheu Thai party, of all the corruption cases he had committed while in power.

Suthep Thaugsuban, a Democrat MP and leader of the anti- government movement, called on Monday for a three-day nationwide strike against the government.

In an emotion-filled speech to the protesters, the former deputy prime minister, along with seven other Democrat MPs, announced to resign from the parliament so that they could better lead the protests.

• China hopes for political stability in Thailand
• Thailand becomes China's second-biggest tourist destination
• Former Thai PM hopeful about cooperation with China in hi-speed railway
• Tour boat sinks off eastern Thailand, killing 6
• Thailand-China visa waiver needs more time: minister
• Thailand to sign visa exemption agreement with Myanmar
• Thailand considers charging foreigners entry fee
• Buffalo racing held in Thailand

We Recommend

• Luxury-cars parade held in Dubai
• Special forces take tough training sessions
• Fire guts 22-storey Nigeria commercial building in Lagos
• A girl takes care of paralyzed father for 10 years
  
• A record of Beijing air quality change
• In pictures: explosions occur in Taiyuan
• Hello! Horror Halloween Celebration!
• The catwalk to the world of fashion
  
• Cruise trip to Taiwan