Thai House session reconvenes

BANGKOK, August 1 (TNA) - Members of the House of Representatives on Thursday attended the first day of the reconvened House session amid tight security, as authorities foresee that confusion may occur next week when MPs debate controversial issues, including a draft amnesty bill proposed by the ruling Puea Thai Party. The overall atmosphere around the Thai Parliament building has remained peaceful, while anti-riot police officers have stationed around the building. Also, the Thai government has invoked the Internal Security Act (ISA) in Bangkok’s three districts, including Dusit, Prom Prap Sattru Phai and Phra Nakhon, all are in the vicinity of the Parliament building, effective from August 1-10, to cope with possible civic groups' rallies opposing the draft amnesty bill, set to be deliberated by the House on August 7. A ruling Puea Thai MP, Vorachai Haema, who submitted the draft bill, told reporters that the draft bill grants amnesty to innocent people who took part in previous political rallies but not to core leaders and those who gave orders to shoot demonstrators. Vorachai said he would request Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra to dissolve the House of Representatives if violence occured in a bid to end unrest. Meanwhile, Uthai Pimchaichon, a former Thai parliament president, submitted his open letters to the incumbent House Speaker, who is also the Parliament President, and the Senate Speaker, to urge that lawmakers, the Cabinet and judges withdraw both the draft amnesty bill and the draft reconciliation bill for deliberations by the Lower House for the sake of national order and unity. Uthai pointed out that both the draft amnesty bill and the draft reconciliation bill are considered unnecessary, as they could widen rifts, seen by open opposition by the public. (TNA)