Bangkok: Sirikanya Tansakul has reiterated the authenticity of her Facebook post concerning the Amnesty Act and its implications for Senate collusion cases, dismissing claims of fake news. She emphasized that the post was intended to highlight potential loopholes in the legislative process.

According to Thai News Agency, Ms. Sirikanya, a party-list MP and deputy leader of the People's Party, addressed the issue in an interview on the party's Facebook page. She posted a message stating: 'Urgent: Government MPs vote in favor of the Senate's amnesty, excluding cases under Article 112, but pardoning those involved in election sabotage and Senate collusion. A discriminatory reconciliation?' Ms. Sirikanya highlighted that while the Senate claims there will be no amnesty for collusion cases, the annex of the Amnesty Act includes the Senate Election Act, raising concerns about potential loopholes. She called for the Election Commission to ensure thorough prosecution of all involved politicians, particularly those from Ang Thong province, to uphold election transparency and fairness.

Ms. Sirikanya explained that the phrase "collusion in the Senate" was removed from the People's Party's message due to ambiguity and lack of clarity about whether such cases would be covered by the amnesty. She argued that if examined closely, the final list does contain a loophole for amnesty under the Senate Election Act, albeit excluding corruption and qualification issues. The lack of clarity leaves room for speculation about possible cover-ups, especially since the Election Commission previously declared Senate election ballot papers legal.

Senator Pisit Apiwatthanapong expressed concerns that granting amnesty for cases under Article 112 could be perceived as favoring a specific ideology. Meanwhile, MP Nattapong Ruangpanyawut of the People's Party criticized the perceived injustice of amending Article 11 of the Peacebuilding Act, arguing that the changes could disproportionately affect young people accused of violating Article 112. He questioned the motives behind these amendments, suggesting they could unjustly impact the future of young individuals.

The report clarifies that the Senate's amendments to the Peacebuilding Act did not include amnesty for cases under Article 112. Instead, the amendments allow for a committee to develop a plan for youth justice, a provision not present in the original draft from the House of Representatives.