Thailand's Move Forward leader says amnesty for political prisoners a priority

BANGKOK -- Amnesty for imprisoned political activists will be a "high priority" for Thailand's main opposition party, its leader told Nikkei Asia after the death on Tuesday of a 28-year-old prisoner on a hunger strike.

Move Forward Party leader Chaithawat Tulathon said it is working with a committee to submit recommendations for amnesty by the end of the year to parliament and called on the government to expedite negotiations over a draft bill. Chaithawat also said the party has set up an alternative party that would be ready to accept its 151 members of parliament in case a court issues a dissolution order in the coming weeks.