Thailand’s new PM delivers his first mandatory speech

After the anti-government protestors called for a blockade at the legislature, Thailand’s new PM Abhisit Vejjajiva had to postpone his mandatory first speech from Monday to Tuesday. Also, on Tuesday, parliament was forced to convene at the Foreign Ministry after anti-government protesters maintained a blockade the legislature.

Abhisit stressed on economic recovery and national unity in his speech adding that the government will provide additional funds to villages to develop their infrastructure. The new administration plans to spend over $8 billion to stimulate the economy.

However, the protesters, who support former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, consider Mr. Abhisit’s two-week-old government illegal. They demand fresh general elections. The pro-Thaksin opposition party boycotted the prime minister’s speech Tuesday.

Sirichok Sopha, a member of parliament from Mr. Abhisit’s Democrat Party, says the government’s main goal is to ease political tensions and revive the economy.

“It’s about unity, that’s the most important thing, to get the people of Thailand to unite and to understand that Khun [Mr.] Abhisit is the prime minister of every Thai whether it’s anti-government or pro-government,” said Sirichok. “We will try to deliver our economic stimulus package, telling Thai people what we’ll do through this economic crisis.”