Senator Blasts Pheu Thai Over Amnesty Law Fake News
Senator Pisit Abhiwatpongpong defended the Senate's amnesty bill procedures on July 9, criticizing Pheu Thai for spreading misinformation about excluding Article 112 charges and saying senators acted properly without self-interest.
On July 9, 2025, at Parliament, Senator Pisit Abhiwatpongpong, serving as secretary of the Senate's special committee, responded to criticism from the Pheu Thai Party over a Facebook post that claimed the government and Senate had voted to approve an amnesty bill excluding Article 112 charges and election-related offenses. Although Pheu Thai later edited the post, Pisit questioned whether such messaging qualifies as fake news, noting that the matter had already been discussed in the House of Representatives and the Senate acted according to proper procedure.
Pisit emphasized that Pheu Thai, as Thailand's second-largest party, should maintain higher standards when posting on its own platform. He stated he wanted to provide final clarification on this matter, as he was exhausted by repeatedly answering questions about alleged Senate favoritism in the amnesty bill.
"Senate members are not opportunists," Pisit declared. "Even if we face accusations today, we remain legally qualified senators. We have not been indicted, and we have no need to amend laws to benefit ourselves. Most Senate members reject self-serving legislation. We absolutely will not do this."
Regarding Article 112 protections, Pisit explained that senators deliberately excluded youth from amnesty provisions. The reasoning, he said, was simple: if youth were exempted from defamation charges, certain ideological groups could exploit this to teach young people to disrespect state institutions. He expressed deep concern about youth being drawn into anti-establishment movements, particularly since 2019.
"We must separate politics from governance institutions," Pisit stressed. "Yet some factions try to blur these lines. Without clear legislation, people will use loopholes to indoctrinate youth into institutional disrespect. We have grown tired of endless color-coded political conflicts for twenty years. Thailand's economy suffers because foreign investors hesitate to commit amid political turmoil. Today, we must join hands and move forward."
