Speaking in English, the British-born 44-year-old said protests against the previous government which blocked Bangkok's airports had damaged Thailand's image as the 'land of smiles, land of the free, land of opportunity'. --PHOTO: ASSOCIATED PRESS
BANGKOK - NEW Thai prime minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said on Wednesday he would launch a 'grand plan of reconciliation' to take the country forward economically and politically after months of turmoil.
Mr Abhisit was making his first public comments since Thailand's revered King Bhumibol Adulyadej signed a royal decree appointing him as premier, two days after the Oxford-educated economist won a parliamentary vote.
'It is my every intention to restore the picture of Thailand that friends all around the world used to know,' he said. 'I will do this through a grand plan of reconciliation based on the rule of law and democratic process.'
Speaking in English, the British-born 44-year-old said protests against the previous government which blocked Bangkok's airports had damaged Thailand's image as the 'land of smiles, land of the free, land of opportunity'.
'Those are the things of the past - they will never happen again,' he said.
He said he wanted not just to end the protests and clashes that have scarred the country in recent years, 'but also take Thailand forward politically and economically'.
In an earlier part of the speech in Thai, he said: 'My duty is to end the failed politics which triggered a divisive society. I shall restore unity through judiciary and respect the will of democracy.' -- AFP
