Bangkok: The Amnesty Committee held its final meeting to summarize the overall picture. The committee concluded that amnesty would not be granted for those causing death, corruption, and Section 112. It also ordered the establishment of a committee to consider potential repentance. Nikorn revealed that he plans to submit a proposal to the meeting to update the situation.

According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Nattawut Saikua, Chairman of the Special Committee on the Draft Act on the Promotion of a Peaceful Society, along with Mr. Weeraphat Pariyawong, Mr. Ekkachai Chainuwat, spokespersons for the committee, and Mr. Nikorn Chamnong, a committee member, held a press conference summarizing the committee’s study data. Today marks the final day of the meeting. Mr. Veeraphat stated that the draft Act on the Promotion of a Peaceful Society clearly defines the legal framework:

The time period in which the incident occurred will begin before the 2006 coup and continue until the current situation, but will not extend beyond the date the legal principles are accepted by Parliament. The motives for the act must be considered, including political motives, whether the actions were attempted to be expressed during the protests, personal matters, or certain offenses. No amnesty will be provided for offenses related to crimes that result in death, corruption, or cases under Article 112 of the Criminal Code.

The offenses that will be granted amnesty must be included in the list attached to the Act. The committee strives to ensure that those affected by the political conflict receive the greatest possible assistance, regardless of their occupation. Therefore, the list attached to the Act will specify a much broader range of offenses than initially approved in principle, to assist all victims or those drawn into the conflict.

This draft bill also addresses civil liability. It does not provide civil amnesty, but if the victim is a state or state enterprise, no further legal action will be taken. However, if a legal action has already been taken and compensation has already been paid, no compensation will be returned. This attempt is to create a balance of fairness, and there is sympathy for some individuals who have been forced to the point of bankruptcy and are unable to live a normal life. Therefore, civil debt will not disappear, but the government will participate in the process of creating a peaceful society by eliminating the need for further legal action.

The Act requires the establishment of a committee to review cases, not just to address the issue of whether a person should receive amnesty assistance, but also to monitor repentance. This committee aims to foster a return to a truly peaceful society.

Mr. Ekachai added that the draft Act introduces Section 9/1, which states that if the offender is under 18 years of age, the established committee has the authority to develop a rehabilitation plan for the offender.

Mr. Nikorn stated that the committee intends to propose the legislation in time for this parliamentary session. Next week, it will be submitted to the Speaker of the House for the second and third readings, expected as soon as possible.