Thai PM dodges protesters to give first speech
THAILAND: Thailand's new prime minister Abhisit Vejjajiva gave
his inaugural policy speech Tuesday, but only after protesters blockaded
parliament for a second day and forced him to switch the venue.
The British-born leader, who was elected in a parliamentary vote
about two weeks ago, instead addressed lawmakers at the foreign ministry
as supporters of ousted former premier Thaksin Shinawatra showed no sign
of budging.
Hundreds of riot police armed with shields made repeated efforts to
create a path for MPs to enter parliament but more than 2,000
red-shirted demonstrators calling for new elections refused to back
down.
"My government will restore normalcy to the country and make Thailand
victorious," the 44-year-old Abhisit said in his speech, which was shown
live on national television.
Abhisit said he wanted to heal Thailand's economic, social and
political wounds after months of protests against the previous pro-Thaksin
government, including the crippling occupation of Bangkok's airports
earlier this month.
"The urgent measures in the first year are restoring confidence and
stimulating the economy," he added.
The opposition boycotted the speech, while about 1,000 flag-waving
demonstrators moved from parliament to block the gates of the foreign
ministry to stop lawmakers from leaving, before organisers called them
off.
"We are going back to parliament to plot out decisive action. This
government lacks legitimacy and is unconstitutional," core organiser
Suporn Atthawong told the crowd at the ministry.
Loyalists of Thaksin, who was ousted in a 2006 coup, say Abhisit's
government is not legitimate as he came to power after the Thaksin-linked
former ruling party was dissolved by a court this month in a vote fraud
case.
The election of the Oxford-educated Abhisit ended six months of
increasingly disruptive protests by anti-Thaksin group the People's
Alliance for Democracy (PAD), which peaked with the airport blockade.
The yellow-clad PAD said the ruling People Power Party (PPP) was
simply a puppet for twice-elected Thaksin, who lives abroad to avoid
being jailed on a corruption conviction.
The week-long closure of the airports in November and early December
caused massive economic damage and hurt the country's vital tourism
industry. Under the constitution, a new prime minister must give a
speech outlining policy before his government can start work, and
Abhisit said he would try to win back tourists put off by the airport
chaos, which drew worldwide attention.
"The government will restore the confidence of foreign tourists and
speed measures to stimulate tourism and investment," he said, as well as
promising stimulus measures for exports, agriculture and industry.
Abhisit's own foreign minister played a leading role in the airport
blockade, further angering Thaksin supporters and causing concern in
diplomatic circles.
Thailand remains deeply divided between supporters of Thaksin and
elements of the old power cliques in the military, palace and
bureaucracy who felt threatened by his immense popularity with the rural
poor.
Supporters of Thaksin said the dissolution of the PPP on December 2
was a "disguised coup" and want parliament dissolved. Elections are not
due until 2011.
The protesters began gathering Sunday and about 9,000 of them sealed
off parliament on Monday, forcing repeated delays of Abhisit's policy
statement. Police said the numbers had dwindled to about 2,000 by
Tuesday morning.
Authorities are keen to prevent a repeat of clashes outside
parliament on October 7, when two people were killed and nearly 500
injured as the PAD tried to prevent then-premier Somchai Wongsawat from
giving his first policy speech.
Abhisit, who is Thailand's third premier in four months, rose to the
position with the help of defectors from the PPP and coalition parties
previously allied with it.
Bangkok, Tuesday, AFP |