ID :
23286
Wed, 10/08/2008 - 20:29
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/23286
The shortlink copeid
Thai PM says govt intends to recover economy, respect international law
BANGKOK, Oct 8 (TNA) - Only a day after bloody street protests at
Bangkok's Parliament and other locations, Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat
told foreign ambassadors and representatives of varied international
organisations on Wednesday that his government intends to improve the Thai
economy, promote trade and investment in line with market mechanisms, and
restore business confidence in the Thai economy.
Mr. Somchai said during a reception at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
attended by envoys and heads of international organisations from 80
countries, that his coalition government is now able to start work as he
had delivered the government's policy statement to Parliament on Tuesday.
The parliamentary session on Tuesday turned to chaos as protesters loyal
to anti-government People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) blocked the
entrance to Parliament, and became riot when police fired tear gas at
them. The clashes then spread to nearby areas leading to the deaths of two
persons and over four hundred injured.
Pledging that his government would solve Thailand's problems within a
democratic framework, Mr. Somchai said it would adhere to international
law, the UN charter and agreements Thailand made with varied countries.
Thailand currently chairs the Association of Southeast Asian Nations
(ASEAN) and is well prepared to host the ASEAN summit this December, he
said, adding that he planned to visit Thailand's neighbours next week.
The coalition government came to power on September 25.
Meanwhile, President of the Senate Prasopsook Boondech expressed his
sincere condolences on behalf of the Senate to the families of Tuesday's
casualties.
He affirmed that involvement in the negotiations to restore order was
needed by many senior Thai figures, especially Dr. Prawes Wasee, to bring
harmony in the country.
The senate speaker reiterated that the four-party negotiations--including
the Prime Minister, the speakers of the House and Senate, as well as the
leader of the Opposition Party--towards setting up a Constitutional
Drafting Committee should continue, despite the refusal of the Opposition
party to participate.
Bangkok's Parliament and other locations, Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat
told foreign ambassadors and representatives of varied international
organisations on Wednesday that his government intends to improve the Thai
economy, promote trade and investment in line with market mechanisms, and
restore business confidence in the Thai economy.
Mr. Somchai said during a reception at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
attended by envoys and heads of international organisations from 80
countries, that his coalition government is now able to start work as he
had delivered the government's policy statement to Parliament on Tuesday.
The parliamentary session on Tuesday turned to chaos as protesters loyal
to anti-government People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) blocked the
entrance to Parliament, and became riot when police fired tear gas at
them. The clashes then spread to nearby areas leading to the deaths of two
persons and over four hundred injured.
Pledging that his government would solve Thailand's problems within a
democratic framework, Mr. Somchai said it would adhere to international
law, the UN charter and agreements Thailand made with varied countries.
Thailand currently chairs the Association of Southeast Asian Nations
(ASEAN) and is well prepared to host the ASEAN summit this December, he
said, adding that he planned to visit Thailand's neighbours next week.
The coalition government came to power on September 25.
Meanwhile, President of the Senate Prasopsook Boondech expressed his
sincere condolences on behalf of the Senate to the families of Tuesday's
casualties.
He affirmed that involvement in the negotiations to restore order was
needed by many senior Thai figures, especially Dr. Prawes Wasee, to bring
harmony in the country.
The senate speaker reiterated that the four-party negotiations--including
the Prime Minister, the speakers of the House and Senate, as well as the
leader of the Opposition Party--towards setting up a Constitutional
Drafting Committee should continue, despite the refusal of the Opposition
party to participate.
