Government spokeswoman Sansanee Nakpong said, “Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra told the cabinet meeting that the government still stands by the charter amendment policy, as announced in parliament.
“But she wants different sides to contribute their ideas and wants the political tension to ease.”
To the disappointment of Red Shirt leaders in Parliament – the more radical members of the ruling Pheu Thai Party – the Speaker of Parliament, President Somsak Kiatsuranont, announced that the third reading of the charter amendment bill, along with deliberation of the reconciliation bills, will be postponed until the next session of Parliament.
This quashed speculation that these matters might be rammed through before Parliament breaks up.
He said that, in this, he had the full backing of the Pheu Thai Party leadership.
“It’s not about being brave or a coward, surrendering or not surrendering, but I want all parties to face each other and talk,” he said.
The Yellow Shirt explosion resulted from their belief that the reconciliation bills had one real aim – to get a pardon for exiled ex-Premier Thaksin Shinawatra.
In addition, one of the draft laws, which aims to amend the Kingdom’s constitution, has angered royalists, who see it as an attempt to weaken the Monarchy.
Thousands of Yellow Shirts blockaded Parliament last month to prevent the house from discussing the reconciliation plans.
The government’s moves have also put it at odds with the judiciary: the Constitutional Court ordered a halt to voting on the charter amendment bill after a complaint by senators that it was aimed at overthrowing the monarchy.
The government has not scrapped its plan to change the constitution, Sansanee stressed.
“Prime Minister Yingluck said clearly during the Cabinet meeting that her government insisted on going ahead with the charter amendments, as she promised during her policy statement,” Ms Sansanee said.
“But the government agreed to end the session to enable brainstorming by all parties and to create a favourable climate."
Earlier this month Ms Yingluck warned that Thailand faces a “cycle of violence” unless steps are taken towards reconciliation after years of civil unrest.