A protester holds a portrait of King Bhumibol Adulyadej during a rally at the Democracy Monument in central Bangkok yesterday.
BANGKOK: Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra yesterday defended a controversial political amnesty bill that has sparked mass anti-government protests, urging the country to “forgive” after years of civil strife.
Opponents fear the legislation would allow fugitive former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra -- Yingluck’s brother -- to return from self-imposed exile.
Yingluck said the amnesty was needed to reunite the country after years of turmoil culminating in a bloody crackdown by the previous government on pro-Thaksin “Red Shirt” protests in 2010 that left dozens of civilians dead.
“An amnesty is not about forgetting our painful lessons but about learning so it does not happen again to our young generation,” she said.
“If people learn how to forgive, the country will move forward.”
There have been daily demonstrations in Bangkok since parliament began debating the bill last week. The amnesty bill was passed by the lower house on Friday and is due to be debated in the Senate next week.
“I urge all senators to fully consider this bill on the grounds of reconciliation. Whatever the Senate decides -- if it rejects or amends it -- I believe MPs from the lower house will reasonably accept it in line with the parliamentary process,” Yingluck said.
AFP
