Thailand’s opposition party vows to continue opposing Amnesty bill

BANGKOK, Aug 18 (TNA) - Thailand’s major opposition Democrat Party has stood firm in opposing the controversial Amnesty Bill which is going to enter the second and final third reading in the House of Representatives soon, said the party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva on Sunday (Aug 18). Mr. Abhisit, a former prime minister, admitted that Nipit Intarasombat, a senior Democrat Party member and an MP for Phattalung province, had recently discussed with prominent members of anti-government People’s Alliance for Democracy on a possible move to oppose the government-sponsored Amnesty Bill. Several concerned parties disagree with the government on issuing the Bill, said Mr. Abhisit, adding that his party will move within the legal framework in opposing it because those who had committed severe criminal and lese majeste charges should not be pardoned if the Bill sailed through the parliament. However, ruling Pheu Thai Party spokesman Prompong Nopparit on Sunday (Aug 18) continued stressing that the government had nothing to do with the controversial Bill, saying that it is rested with the decision of House members. Meanwhile, an independent Dusit Poll said its recent survey conducted on 1,648 people nationwide found that 72.29 per cent of total respondents agreed that it is about time now for reformation of Thai politics. 34.55 per cent of total respondents opined that reform should stress on ridding social divisiveness, seen sharply following the bloodless coup on September 19, 2006 which toppled the elected government of prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra. Dusit Poll said the survey also showed 66.17 per cent of total respondents agreed with some of the government’s measures on political reform which are being exercising now. (TNA)