December 18, 2008
Bangkok - Prime minister, Abhisit Vejjajiva said he would visit the northeast as well as the north if he had a chance.
The northeast and north are the strongholds of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra who doubted how long the Democrat-led government would last when making his phone-in yesterday.
British-born and Oxford graduate premier was yesterday nominated as the 27th prime minister of Thailand.
Abhisit means privilege in Thai.
Abhisit vowed to be the premier for everyone during his speech to Thai people nationwide. The interesting point of his speech was that he mentioned grandmother Niam who lives in the northeast and gave a warm welcome to him when he was campaigning for votes there.
"When the appropriate time comes and I have a mission, I will travel there," he said, referring both to Isan and to Thaksin's northern home town of Chiang Mai.
However, the ex-government supporters said they would rally in front parliament when the premier and his cabinet presented their policies to parliament.
"In a democratic society they can rally with placards to express their demands, but they should not intend to hurt or kill me -- that will not help anyone," Abhisit said.
Army chief Gen Anupong Paochinda said the army was ready to help the government boost reconciliation with the northeasterners.
PM Abhisit had an idea to send an SMS to urge all Thais to help bring Thailand out of the crisis.
