Thailand’s Senate struggled to reach a quorum on Friday for a vote on a contentious amnesty bill that could pave the way for the return from exile of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who was deposed by a 2006 military coup.
The ruling party-backed bill would grant amnesties to leaders and others involved in often-violent political conflicts since 2004. Thousands of people have joined street protests this past week against the legislation, which they say is intended to let Thaksin escape a two-year jail term on a corruption conviction.
There’s no good reason to move the vote from Monday. This will make society feel that the Senate is under the government’s influence
The Senate vote was moved to Friday from next Monday in what Thaksin’s critics say was an effort to calm the protests, which have put heavy pressure on the government and the Senate. Anti-Thaksin senators boycotted Friday’s session.
“There’s no good reason to move the vote from Monday. This will make society feel that the Senate is under the government’s influence,” Senator Rosana Tositrakul said.
Thaksin’s sister and current Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra made several attempts in televised addresses this week to assure protesters that the ruling Pheu Thai party will not attempt to pass the legislation again if the Senate strikes it down. The more-powerful lower house legally can pass legislation without Senate approval after a 180-day wait.
Sixty-seven of 149 senators attended parliament on Friday afternoon, eight short of a quorum. The Senate speaker had to call a break to try to persuade more lawmakers to join.