PM asks all to jointly move Thailand forward in his exit speech

BANGKOK, 9 May 2011 (NNT) – Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has delivered his final message to Thai people via television before the House dissolution tomorrow, encouraging all sides to join hands in propelling the country forward without inciting further conflicts.

In his last televised statement as the Prime Minister of Thailand on the National Broadcasting Services of Thailand (NBT), Channel 11, Mr Abhisit officially declared that His Majesty the King had endorsed the royal decree on House dissolution, which would become effective on 10 May and would require the next general election to be organized on 3 July.

On this occasion, the Prime Minister stated that he deemed the House dissolution as a new beginning and a good opportunity for Thai people to exercise their power to drive the country forward. He pointed out that since the beginning of his administration, numerous projects and measures had been launched to tackle all sorts of problems within the country, including the high cost of living and the persisting political rifts.

However, Mr Abhisit admitted that those problems had not been entirely solved and he, therefore, was not yet satisfied. He stressed the necessity for the new government to carry on the momentum in improving people’s quality of life, adding that even though there remained many goals to accomplish, the country would not have to start over from scratch.

The Prime Minister then voiced his faith in voters’ ability to express their needs through ballots in the upcoming election and to decide which direction the country would be heading. He said it was undeniable that all Thai citizens, regardless of political preferences and shirt colors, shared the same view that Thai politics should be in line with democracy, the Constitution and the law and that the incoming administration should uphold public benefits above personal gains.

Lastly, Mr Abhisit expressed appreciation for all the support from the Thai people and said he was proud to have served the country to the best of his ability for the past two years and a half.