Bangkok: Akkaradech Wongpithakroj, a member of parliament for Ratchaburi from the Bhumjaithai Party, has voiced his opposition to granting amnesty under Section 112 of the Criminal Code for all groups, asserting it could be exploited as a political tool in the future. However, he expressed support for the draft Act on Promoting a Peaceful Society, aligning with the Senate's resolution.
According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Akradech participated in a debate over the draft bill aimed at fostering a peaceful society, which had been amended by the Senate and returned to the House of Representatives for further consideration. He emphasized that the Senate's amendments did not alter the key principles approved by the House in the third reading, suggesting the House should endorse the Senate's draft without the necessity of forming a joint committee.
The Senate's revisions focused on two main issues: the exclusion of the term "state enterprise" from the draft law, leaving only "government agency," which Mr. Akradech noted as a mere legal formality rather than a substantive change. Additionally, the Senate added a clause prohibiting amnesty for offenders under Section 112 who are under 18. Although the House's previous draft might have allowed amnesty for minors violating Article 112, Mr. Akradech concurred with the Senate's decision against it.
Mr. Akradech stressed that Article 112 is designed to safeguard the monarchy, a core element of Thai identity, and warned that granting amnesty could enable certain groups or political parties to manipulate youth for political purposes against the institution. He expressed concern for the youth but expressed confidence in the juvenile court system's ability to handle cases involving minors differently from adults.
He reported conversations with the Chief Judge of the Juvenile Court, who assured that cases involving those under 18, including Section 112 offenses, would be dealt with distinctively. Presently, fewer than 10 juveniles under 18 have been prosecuted under Section 112.
Mr. Akradech reiterated his alignment with the Senate's amendments and advocated for the House of Representatives to approve the Peacebuilding Act without a joint committee. He argued that this would aid approximately 6,000 individuals entangled in legal proceedings or detained due to political events, marking a significant stride towards societal reconciliation and peace, covering incidents from January 1, 2005, to July 16, 2025.