Thai PM rejects referendum proposal

BANGKOK, June 10 (UPI) -- Thailand's prime minister has rejected an opposition party's proposed amnesty referendum for crimes committed after a 2006 military coup.

The coup helped cement a rift between Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra's Red Shirts which fueled ongoing divisions and violence.

Abhisit said granting amnesty for those who committed offenses would not be beneficial and he questioned the legality of any such move, the Bangkok Post reported Friday.

"I am not sure whether the referendum holding is constitutional. It could once again create a problem of social division in the country.

"The best thing to do at this time is to move the country forward without any impact on the effort to resolve problems faced by people. The best way is not to do this kind of thing," Abhisit said.