Giving a public announcement on the state-run National Broadcasting Services of Thailand (NBT) television channel on Sunday at about 8.40pm, Mr Somchai said it is alright for people with different ideas to hold gatherings, but they must be within the legal framework so they would not violate rights of other people.
He said the government is democratically elected, and therefore, the government has to be responsible for its people and the parliament. The government continues to adhere to the constitutional monarchy, he added.
The premier said he felt sorry for the violent clashes between the police and the People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD) supporters on October 7, in which more than 400 people were injured and two people were killed.
He said the government has set up two independent committees responsible for investigating the violent activities and aiding the injured from the incident last week. He believed the investigation would not take long, and its result will be revealed to the general public clearly.
Besides the problems relating to conflicting ideas and politics, the prime minister called on the Thai people to reconcile and be prepared for another crisis – the global economic crisis.
According to Mr Somchai, although the crisis began in the United States, Britain and Europe, it could also hit the Asian economy because it plays an important part in the global economy. He said it could affect investment and employment sectors in Thailand as well as prices of local agricultural products.
The premier said Thailand once encountered an economic crisis in 1997, and it is now necessary for all sides in the country to be prepared to handle another economic downturn to prevent it from worsening.
Thai people must join hands in preparation for the royal cremation ceremony of Her Royal Highness Princess Galyani Vadhana in November and His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej’s birthday anniversary on December 5, the prime minister said.
In addition, he asked Thai people to unite as the country will host an Asean Summit. He said Thailand must show its readiness and unity to foreign countries, and called on the PAD to leave Government House and the streets where the protesters gathered for the country’s benefits and honour.
Referring to the rumours that the prime minister will resign or dissolve the House of Representatives, Mr Somchai asked public members to use their discretion and common sense to prevent themselves from being misled.
He insisted he will not resign and has no plan to dissolve the House of Representatives because he believed such acts would not solve the problem.
However, the premier said he is ready to step down, if the country clearly benefits from it.
It is important for all sides to jointly find ways to end the problem, such as setting up a constitution drafting assembly to improve the charter, the prime minister concluded.
source bangkok post
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