Thailand’s senate will on Friday begin deliberations on an amnesty bill that has sparked mass protests, beginning its reading of the draft law earlier than planned and stirring expectations of a decision that could end the demonstrations.
Thousands of protesters rallied on Thursday in Bangkok’s historic area near the United Nations’ Asia-Pacific headquarters, calling for the withdrawal of the bill. Some protesters also called for the overthrow of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra’s populist government.
“We will move deliberation of the bill to tomorrow from November 11,” Senate Speaker Nikom Wairatpanij said on Thursday.
This issue is over. We ask that protesters stop their activities as we are concerned this will affect investor sentiment and tourism
Critics say the bill is aimed at bringing back Yingluck’s brother, former premier Thaksin Shinawatra, from self-exile without serving jail time. He was convicted in absentia in 2008 of corruption – charges he said were politically motivated.
The bill, backed by Yingluck’s ruling Puea Thai Party, has been heavily criticised as a measure that would absolve all leaders and protesters involved in political unrest in Thailand since 2004 of any wrongdoing.
In her first official remarks since the bill passed the lower house last week, Yingluck said on Tuesday she would leave its fate in the hands of senators. Some analysts read that as a sign she was backing down over it.
In her second televised address since protesters took to the streets last Friday, Yingluck said her government would not re-introduce the draft law if it was rejected by the Senate.
“This issue is over. We ask that protesters stop their activities as we are concerned this will affect investor sentiment and tourism,” said Yingluck.