MPs back amnesty bills

House votes for 3, knocks back 2

- AEKARACH SATTABURUTH

The House has passed three amnesty bills but rejected two versions submitted by civil society groups and the former Move Forward Party during their first readings.

The three bills, also known as the “Promote Peaceful Society Bill”, were proposed by different parties. The first was put forward by United Thai Nation (UTN) MP Wichai Sutsawat. This was accepted by 299 MPs with 172 abstentions.

The second bill sponsored by Klatham Party MP Preeda Boonplerng, formerly from Khru Thai Party, was approved by 311 MPs with 158 abstentions.

The third, backed by Bhumjaithai Party (BJT) leader Anutin Charnvirakul, passed with 311 votes of support, three against and 147 abstentions.

The two that did not pass were the People's Party's “Amnesty for Political Offences Bill” and the “People's Amnesty Bill”, which was backed by 36,723 signatories and Poon-suk Poonsukcharoen.

The PP’s bill was rejected by 319 MPs, accepted by 147, with six abstentions while the civil society network-sponsored bill was rejected by 306 votes and accepted by 149, with 20 abstentions.