BANGKOK, Sept. 15 (UPI) -- The governing coalition in Thailand is split on amnesty for protesters, with the deputy prime minister saying Wednesday it would only abet lawbreakers.
Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban endorsed Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva's position on the issue, the Bangkok Post reported. Newin Chidchob, a leader in the Bhumjaithai Party, which is also part of the coalition, proposed the amnesty, which is backed by members of his party in the government.
"I don't know what Mr. Newin's real intention is." Suthep said. "He may want to help reconciliation by reducing the pressure between the two sides in conflict."
While members of the government are split on amnesty, both major protest groups oppose it.
The United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship, known as the Red Shirts, held a series of large demonstrations, encampments and building occupations. The group says Abhisit and Suthep are lawbreakers who would benefit from amnesty.
The yellow-shirted People's Alliance for Democracy, which called for strong measures against the Red Shirts, says amnesty would help those who organized the protests.
