Piyabutr Challenges Rejection of Bill to Repeal 1976 Reform Council Decrees
Progressive Movement secretary-general Piyabutr Saengkanokkul has criticized the House Speaker's decision to reject a bill aimed at repealing decrees from the 1976 reform council.
On November 8, 2026, Piyabutr Saengkanokkul, secretary-general of the Progressive Movement, publicly challenged the House Speaker’s decision to dismiss a draft bill seeking to repeal decrees issued by the reform council following the October 6, 1976, incident. The proposed legislation aimed to revoke specific provisions that increased penalties for lèse-majesté offenses under Section 112 of the Criminal Code, which currently mandate prison sentences ranging from three to 15 years. Piyabutr argued that the rejection of this bill negatively impacts citizens' rights and has proposed two potential avenues for recourse: filing a petition with the Administrative Court or having Members of Parliament re-submit the draft legislation. He has specifically encouraged the People's Party to consider re-introducing the bill to test the legislative process. Piyabutr noted that the Constitution still provides mechanisms for potential sentence reductions regarding Section 112. For residents and visitors, this development highlights ongoing political debates regarding historical legal frameworks and their contemporary application in Thailand. It remains to be confirmed whether the People's Party will formally re-submit the bill or if legal challenges will be pursued through the Administrative Court. Observers should monitor official parliamentary announcements for further updates on this legislative matter.
