Work for people's peace and order, he exhorts Abhisit, who will face formidable challenges
BANGKOK: – King Bhumibol Adulyadej in his first comment on Thailand's political turmoil, told newly sworn in Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva 'to work for the peace and order of the nation'.
King Bhumibol, 81 – Thailand's ultimate moral authority – in a short address to Mr Abhisit and his Cabinet broadcast on national television, said: 'If you work well, the country will be in good order and it will be a blessing to the country.'
He added: 'The country needs good care. Without it, public service will not be good enough. If you can ensure happiness and public order, the country will go ahead well just like what all Thais want.'
The king also said: 'I bless you to work for the peace and order of the nation.'
Mr Abhisit, 44, dressed like the rest of his Cabinet in his ceremonial white uniform, prostrated himself at the King's feet.
Later, he said: 'I will take His Majesty's royal advice to heart. His Majesty wished us to work successfully in order to make the country and the people happy and that is the most important.'
He faces formidable challenges including stimulating an economy hit by domestic political turmoil and the global recession, keeping his ruling coalition intact, establishing his own credibility and narrowing the political divide which has brought Thailand to the brink of a class war.
He will be pressured by the royalist 'yellow shirts' People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) as well as pro-democracy 'red shirts', supporters of ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra who feel they have been robbed of their electoral mandate through a conspiracy involving the Democrat Party and sections of the Bangkok elite – including the army.
Opposition in Parliament from the Puea Thai – the third incarnation of Thaksin's disbanded Thai Rak Thai party – will be vigorous and formidable.
But the Democrats are popular in Bangkok. And with the capital's old elite and the military on his side, and former Thaksin loyalist Newin Chidchob supporting him, Mr Abhisit's government could survive for some months if it manages to shore up the economy and avoid the kind of corruption scandals which undermined the last Democrat-led government of former prime minister Chuan Leekpai in the late 1990s.
Recent public opinion polls have consistently shown that the majority of Thais are worried about the social and political strife that has emerged, and want peace and stability.
But Mr Newin's support has tainted Mr Abhisit's rise to power. The former Thaksin lieutenant is a byword for old-style Thai politics, in which ideology is secondary to money and power.
King Bhumibol, who had Thais worried by not turning up for his annual birthday eve speech on Dec 4, yesterday appeared frail but well.
The King, who has ruled Thailand for over 60 years, delivered his speech standing unaided, speaking softly into a microphone, as Mr Abhisit and senior party members and the Cabinet stood before him.
Later Mr Abhisit brushed off criticism that the way the Democrat Party had come to power – on the back of months-long protests by the PAD which paralysed the previous government – was undemocratic, saying he wanted to 'bring back harmony' to Thailand.
Singapore Foreign Minister George Yeo was among the first to offer his warm wishes to his new Thai counterpart, Mr Kasit Piromya.
In a congratulatory letter to the new Thai foreign minister, Mr Yeo said that he looked forward to working closely with Mr Kasit to further strengthen bilateral relations as well as in Asean.
Mr Yeo also extended an invitation to Mr Kasit to visit Singapore.
