New premier forced to delay address by one day and hold it at the Foreign Ministry because of thousands of protesters blocking parliament in the past few days. In his speech he stresses the need to jumpstart the economy and tourism. But demonstrators promise more protests.

Bangkok (AsiaNews/Agencies) – Thailand’s new prime minister, Abhisit Vejjajjva, was able to make his inaugural speech today, but at the Foreign Ministry, because of widespread demonstrations that have blocked parliament since Sunday night, a situation that had forced him to cancel his address yesterday.

Hundreds of red-shirted demonstrators moved to the ministry after news spread that Mr Abhisit was speaking there but were held back by police.

In his speech, carried live on television, Mr Abhisit stressed the need to overcome the political crisis that has seen four prime ministers this year and paralysed the government.

He noted that confrontation, culminating in the occupation and blockade of the airports, could plunge the country into a recession as a result of the crisis of the tourism industry and the loss of confidence among foreign investors.

He has already announced an US$ 8.6 billion package of government spending to stimulate the economy and help rural areas in the country’s northern and north-eastern regions.

Red-shirted demonstrators (20,000 on Sunday; more than 9,000 last night at the parliament building), backing former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, are protesting against the fall of the former pro-Thaksin government which was supported by parties that had won the last elections.

That government was forced to resign following nation-wide protests and a 2 December ruling by the Constitutional Court dissolving the People’s Power Party (PPP), the party with the largest number of members of parliament, and two smaller parties, which were part of the old PPP-led coalition.

Demonstrators accuse Abhisit of coming to power thanks to the military and undue pressure on smaller parties. For this reason they want new elections.

“We call for the government to dissolve the House and return power to the people,” said pro-Thaksin leader Chalerm Yoobamrung.

Experts note that pro-Thaksin demonstrations are imitating the tactics and obstructionism adopted by the adversaries of the former government, who are close to Abhisit.

• thailand
• abhisit
• vejjajjva
• inaugural
• speech
• foreign
• ministry
• demonstrators
• thaksin
• shinawatra
• military