Thaksin Skypes an amnesty push

Ousted premier aims to keep red shirts on side

Deposed prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra has ordered Pheu Thai to make a strong push for an amnesty law to prevent the red shirts abandoning their support of the ruling party.

Deputy House Speaker Charoen Chankomol, left, holds talks with stakeholders on amnesty proposals. The Monday meeting was attended by the red-shirt United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD), the Pheu Thai Party, the military, business operators in Ratchaprasong, and a faction of the Bhumjaithai Party. (Photo by Apichart Jinakul)

According to Pheu Thai Party sources, Thaksin issued the order through Skype to the party's coordinating committee Monday.
The meeting of the working group included Pheu Thai secretary-general Phumtham Vejjayachai; Pheu Thai deputy director Saroj Hongchuvej; Thaksin's legal adviser Noppadol Pattama; and Pheu Thai's legal adviser Chusak Sirinil.
Thaksin is on the run from a two-year jail term over an abuse of authority conviction during his time as premier.
According to the sources, Thaksin said the government and Pheu Thai had made too many compromises with their opponents, including the military and ammart (elites), who refused to reconcile with the ruling party.
The situation has led to a rift between the party and some factions of the red-shirt United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD), the sources said.
As a result, Thaksin ordered the Pheu Thai Party to push hard for an amnesty law to prove to red-shirt demonstrators affected by past political events that the party is not ignoring them and to maintain their support.
Still, Thaksin instructed Pheu Thai to be careful in moving toward an amnesty to prevent any perception emerging that the push is aimed at helping him and UDD protest leaders.
"Don't be worried about whether I can return home. If our MPs want to push for amnesty, just do it. What I want to know is how united we are," Thaksin was quoted as telling the coordinating committee.
"Someone wants me to return while someone who says they love me doesn't in fact want me to return because of fears that they will become less important," he said.
Meanwhile, Deputy House Speaker Charoen Chankomol Monday insisted he will keep trying to convince opponents to discuss amnesty bills in the forum he recently initiated.
The first round of Mr Charoen's forum took place Monday with only five of the 11 parties he invited turning up.
They were representatives of Pheu Thai, the UDD, the military, entrepreneurs from Ratchaprasong intersection that was the site ofthe lengthy red-shirt demonstrations in 2010, and the Matchima faction of the Bhumjaithai Party.
Those failing to attend the discussion were representatives of the opposition Democrat Party, the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD), the Pitak Siam Group, the Multi-Coloured Group, the defunct Truth for Reconciliation Commission, and government officials affected by political unrest.
Nicha Hirunburana Thuwatham, the widow of Gen Romklao Thuwatham - an army officer killed during the 2010 protests - sent her proposal to the discussion in writing. She opposes any amnesty for those who committed criminal and lese majeste offences.
The discussion lasted more than two hours and was held behind closed doors.
Afterwards Mr Charoen told reporters he would try to convince Democrat leader Abhisit Vejjajiva to participate and would reinvite the other groups, including the PAD, later. He said he was aware of the Democrat Party's demand for the withdrawal of four reconciliation bills from the House but was confident he could eventually convince Mr Abhisit and the PAD to attend his forum.
Mr Charoen called for the temporary release of political prisoners. He also quoted military representatives at Monday's discussion as urging reconciliation and forgiveness.
Mr Charoen dismissed the possibility of speeding up the House deliberation of an amnesty bill backed by 42 Pheu Thai MPs as demanded by Pheu Thai MP and red-shirt UDD leader Worachai Hema. The deputy House speaker said the legislation process for an amnesty or reconciliation bill would take time.
Government chief whip Amnuay Khlangpha of the Pheu Thai Party Monday said the bill had just been filed last week and it would not be brought forward on the agenda. He said Mr Worachai had the right to propose the bill for urgent consideration but the move would need support from at least 250 MPs to happen.
Pheu Thai MP and government whip Chavalit Wichayasuth said most Pheu Thai MPs disagreed with the bill being sped up. He also rejected the Democrat Party's demand for the withdrawal of the four reconciliation bills.

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