The private sector vows it will not drop its guard on the blanket amnesty bill even as government whips and some senators promise to back down in order to ease street protests.
Around 100 staff members of the central bank march near the Rama VIII Bridge yesterday. PATHOM SANGWONGWANICH
Pramon Sutivong, chairman of the Anti-Corruption Organisation of Thailand, yesterday said the ACT will keep a close watch until the Senate makes its decision on the draft legislation and then figure out its next move.
"We're definitely watching closely while we await the senators' decision. We'll decide what to do after the first reading," he said.
Pheu Thai MP Amnuay Khlangpha yesterday said government whips have agreed to withdraw six amnesty-related bills still on the agenda of the House of Representatives in response to the people's wishes.
Ten elected and appointed senators have also agreed to reject the controversial amnesty bill, Senate Speaker Nikom Wairatpanich said on Tuesday.
They will vote to reject the blanket amnesty bill after next Monday's first reading in the Senate.
Mr Pramon said there is still a chance the government will eventually seek royal endorsement for the draft.
However, he believes the senators will withhold the bill and return it to the House of Representatives.
Whistles, which have become a symbol of the protests, are sold on Silom Road yesterday. THITI WANNAMONTHA
The lower house will then have to wait 180 days before reconsidering it. During the period, it may not introduce a bill having the same or similar principles as that of the bill that has been withheld.
"I don't want to think that far ahead or decide now if there's anything hidden behind the government's declaration it will withdraw some elements of the bill," said Mr Pramon.
Today, the ACT will join with the private sector and universities to stage a rally against corruption at the Ratchaprasong intersection starting at 5pm.
ACT member Danai Chanchaochai agreed with Mr Pramon about the uncertainty of the situation.
The swelling numbers of protesters prompted senators and government whips to come out in a bid to defuse the situation, but it is unclear if they will really listen to the people, he said.
"Even if the Senate does reject the contentious amnesty draft, Thais should remain concerned, as the House is allowed by law to bypass the Senate and seek royal endorsement directly," said Mr Danai.
He said Thais have lost all confidence in the government after the Pheu Thai party's ambiguous manner in passing a draft that pardons corruption.
"The people are taking the initiative to start a war against corruption, with widespread rallies being held by various sectors _ local governments upcountry, universities, government officers and business people," said Mr Danai.
He said the ACT will conduct a long-term campaign to educate Thais on corruption and the damage it causes the country.
The Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) yesterday expressed solidarity with the ACT, of which it is a member, saying its own views are similar.
"Our stance is clear. We are as one with the ACT and stand ready to support it in order to achieve our mission against corruption," said SET president Charamporn Jotikasthira.
One hundred Bank of Thailand staff marched near the Rama VIII Bridge yesterday evening to express their discontent with the blanket amnesty bill.
The group marched from central bank headquarters _ handing out leaflets, carrying signs expressing their disagreement with the amnesty bill and blowing whistles.
No central bank executives were present at the assembly.
But one group of senior staff said they view the amnesty bill as simply whitewashing the wrongdoings of one person and other corrupt practices.
They were not concerned about facing disciplinary action for marching, as the assembly occurred outside office hours and off premises.
They said they were exercising their right to protest for the good of the nation and what they perceived as injustice.
A few staff said they had attended the Democrat-led Samsen Road protest and the current site at Democracy Monument.