BANGKOK, Nov. 8 (UPI) -- A controversial blanket amnesty bill failed in the Thai Senate Friday after a number of senators opposed to the proposal didn't show up, officials said.
The chamber could not take action on the first reading of the bill because a quorum was not present, China's official Xinhua News Agency reported.
Only 67 of the Senate's 149 members were present for the vote, while 74 are required for the Senate to do business. Members of the so-called Group of 40 Senators boycotted the session and another 33 members were out of town.
The session will resume Monday.
Consideration of the bill had been scheduled for Monday. Senate President Nikom Wairatpanich announced Thursday the first reading had been moved to Friday because a number of educational institutions and organizations had asked for quick action on the proposal.
The Group of 40 rejected the rescheduled vote, charging an "outside person" wanted the bill passed quickly to put an end to political protests. The senators demanded the House of Representatives be dissolved and new elections held.
The bill would grant blanket pardons to people involved in political turmoil and violence since a military coup in 2006.
If the Senate fails to act on the bill within 60 days after receiving it from the House, the proposal will be returned to the House, where further action on it will be frozen for 180 days.
