Chakrapob: Peace Bill is 'Nation's Progressive Starting Point'

Matichon•Politics•19d ago

Reader Briefing

MP Chakrapob Penkhao argues for the 'Peaceful Society Promotion Act' as a crucial first step towards national progress, drawing from personal experiences with political struggles.

•MP Chakrapob Penkhao delivered his inaugural speech in the House of Representatives regarding the Peaceful Society Promotion Act.
•He emphasized the bill as a necessary, albeit imperfect, starting point for national reconciliation and progress.
•Drawing from his past involvement in the Red Shirt movement and subsequent exile, Chakrapob highlighted the deep societal wounds caused by prolonged conflict.
•The debate in the House of Representatives involves considering amendments from the Senate, particularly regarding Section 112.

Overview

•On July 8, the House of Representatives convened with Deputy Speaker 1, Ms. Mallika Chirapanwanich, presiding, to consider the draft Peaceful Society Promotion Act.
•The Senate returned the bill with amendments, specifically excluding amnesty under Section 112 for those under 18.
•At 4:00 PM, MP Chakrapob Penkhao of the Pheu Thai Party stated that this was his first parliamentary speech, focusing on the Peaceful Society Promotion Act.
•Chakrapob characterized the bill as a starting point for reconciliation, acknowledging it was not perfect but necessary to halt the nation's suffering.
•Chakrapob drew parallels between his personal exile and the ongoing struggles of families affected by past political conflicts, spanning 20-30 years.
•Chakrapob argued that while he preferred the bill before Senate amendments, a collective starting point was essential given shared political hardships.
•Chakrapob noted that while amnesty is often associated with military coups, this proposal originates from a civilian government and parliament.
•Chakrapob expressed satisfaction with the nation learning lessons and creating a starting point, despite not achieving all desired outcomes, comparing the nation's advancement to building a ship to carry as many people as possible.

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Source: Matichon (Original)

Key Quotes

จักรภพ เพ็ญแข

"We cannot take everyone, but we must build a ship to take the most people, before returning to pick up those remaining."

เราไม่สามารถพาทุกคนไปได้ แต่ต้องสร้างเรือเพื่อพาคนไปให้ได้มากที่สุด ก่อนย้อนกลับมารับคนที่เหลือ

จักรภพ เพ็ญแข

"Never did I not think of Thailand."

ไม่เคยไม่คิดถึงประเทศไทย

จักรภพ เพ็ญแข

"This law will be a starting point for us to stop and consider how we can stop the country's bleeding."

กฎหมายนี้จะเป็นจุดเริ่มต้นให้เราได้หยุดคิดพิจารณาว่าเราจะห้ามเลือดประเทศได้อย่างไร

จักรภพ เพ็ญแข

"I am satisfied to see the system moving forward."

ตนพอใจที่เห็นระบบเดินไปข้างหน้า

จักรภพ เพ็ญแข

"Do not stop thinking about building the ship."

อย่าหยุดคิดเรื่องการสร้างเรือเลย

Key Entities

Person

Chakrapob Penkhao(จักรภพ เพ็ญแข)

A Member of Parliament (MP) for List-Naming, Pheu Thai Party, who delivered his first parliamentary speech on the Peaceful Society Promotion Act.

Ms. Mallika Chirapanwanich(น.ส.มัลลิกา จิระพันธุ์วาณิช)

The First Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives who presided over the session discussing the Peaceful Society Promotion Act.

Law

Peaceful Society Promotion Act(พ.ร.บ.สร้างเสริมสังคมสันติสุข)

A draft legislative bill under consideration by the House of Representatives, aimed at promoting societal peace and reconciliation, with recent amendments from the Senate.

Criminal Code Section 112(ประมวลกฎหมายอาญามาตรา 112)

A section of the criminal code that was a point of contention in the Senate's amendments to the Peaceful Society Promotion Act, regarding amnesty for those under 18.

Organization

House of Representatives(สภาผู้แทนราษฎร)ℹ️

The legislative body currently debating the draft Peaceful Society Promotion Act.

Senate(วุฒิสภา)ℹ️

The legislative body that sent amendments to the House of Representatives regarding the Peaceful Society Promotion Act.

Pheu Thai Party(พรรคเพื่อไทย)ℹ️

The political party to which MP Chakrapob Penkhao belongs.

UDD (United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship)(นปช.)ℹ️

A political movement Chakrapob Penkhao was associated with, referred to as 'Red Shirts'.