Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva yesterday announced nine working guidelines he gave to his Cabinet members that incorporate the royal advice for the new government to restore peace in society.
Abhisit said his Cabinet agreed at their first meeting on the policy statement to be declared before Parliament next week.
The PM, speaking at a press conference after the meeting at Government House, said he told his ministers they should be aware they are serving at a time of political, economic and social crises.
The guidelines given to ministers are:
1. Follow His Majesty the King's advice given during the Cabinet's royal audience on Monday that they should ensure peace and happiness among the public.
2. Work with strict honesty and ensure that people who work for them also are honest.
3. The government's policy statement agreed yesterday must be referred to by all ministers to ensure government unity and commitment.
4. Work with efficiency and cooperate with joint responsibility although ministers are from different coalition parties.
5. The ministers must attend House meetings regularly to hear views from MPs and to reply to any impromptu questions on Thursdays.
6. As public figures, Cabinet members must care about the public's feelings and should avoid any behaviour that could affect public credibility.
7. Allow public participation in running the country and tolerate relevant processes, such as public hearings on government projects.
8. Prepare for scrutiny and avoid obstructing any attempt to scrutinise projects. Also avoid getting involved in exchanges with scrutinisers, as that would go against government policy to restore social unity.
9. All ministers are not above the law but instead should have political responsibility with higher standards than legal responsibility.
They should think of the public interest before personal or government benefits.
Abhisit said the guidelines would serve as rules of conduct for his ministers and himself.
He said there would be an evaluation of ministers' performances every three months.
The new PM said the policy statement was submitted to Parliament yesterday in the hope that Parliament president Chai Chidchob would call a meeting for the government to declare its policy statement next Monday and Tuesday.
He said after the statement was announced, there would be a special Cabinet meeting on Tuesday night to approve Thailand's treaties in regard to Asean.
He said the government would push for the treaties to be endorsed by Parliament early next year.
They are necessary for Thailand to host the 14th Asean Summit in Bangkok in February.
