Prominent oppositional party ‘Pheu Thai’ to propose ‘lèse-majesté’ amendment at the next parliamentary meeting

Chaikasem Nitisiri

Bangkok –

Thailand’s biggest oppositional party ‘Pheu Thai’ is preparing to propose the amendment of Section 112 and 116 of the Criminal Code on the agenda of the next parliamentary meeting, according to the party’s open letter issued yesterday, October 31st.

Party committee chairman Chaikasem Nitisiri released the statement yesterday evening supporting the controversial law amendment after a pro-democracy demonstration, organized by the Ratsadon group, was peacefully staged to demand the abolishment of the ‘lèse-majesté’’ law or Section 112 of the Criminal Code at Bangkok’s Ratchprasong Intersection.

According to the open letter, the current excessive use of criminal law prosecution, including Section 112, 116, and the Emergency Decree, to limit political and social opinions has caused damage and triggered public doubts against the judicial process whether it was truly in accordance with the rule of law or whether government officials have performed their duties unlawfully and against human rights.

Therefore, the Pheu Thai Party, as the party with the most votes in the House of Representatives, is willing to bring people’s proposals to the agenda of the Parliament in order for the government to examine the judicial process among police officers, prosecutors, courts, and corrections whether they have performed their duties or exercised their discretion in accordance with the intent of the law.

The statement ends: “(The proposal) will also include the law amendments that were considered by the public as unfair practices against the prisoners of conscience to be released in order to eradicate the detention of such prisoners in the future. This will be the beginning of restoring confidence in Thailand’s justice system”

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Nop Meechukhun
National News Writer at The Pattaya News from September 2020 to October, 2022. Born and raised in Bangkok, Nop enjoys telling stories of her hometown through her words and pictures. Her educational experience in the United States and her passion for journalism have shaped her genuine interests in society, politics, education, culture, and art.