The widely revered 81-year-old monarch delivered a short speech on national television on the responsibilities of the ministers who were unveiled on Saturday.

'If you help each other you can give the country peace and order and make the country get through the current situation. That is all Thais want and it can sustain Thais,' the king said.

The Oxford-educated Abhisit was elected prime minister by parliament last week following a court verdict on December 2 that disbanded the ruling party loyal to ousted former premier Thaksin Shinawatra.

The previous government's collapse came after months of protests by royalist supporters who accused it of being a corrupt front for the now-exiled Thaksin and of trying to damage the monarchy.

Thaksin supporters have pledged to rally outside parliament on Sunday, a day before Democrat Party leader Abhisit's government is due to present its policies to legislators. -- AFP