The People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD), which plans a massive public rally at Sanam Luang on Sunday, has called on Thaksin to resign. But the premier has ruled out dissolving the House of Representatives or stepping down.

With the political situation remaining volatile, the government has launched the advertising drive on state-run Channel 11 and Modern Nine TV and their radio stations, as well as its website www.thaigov.go.th. The advertisement is 1.45 minutes long and the campaign is planned to last for one month.

The advertisement tells of 11 government achievements and stresses that they are part of its success. Credit is also given to people who have helped it to resolve problems.

Among the achievements recognised are that per-capita income has risen from Bt79,100 to Bt109,700 a year. Thailand's debt has also substantially declined, prices and asset values have increased and employment is up by 12.4 per cent.

The government's message is that its measures have helped to revitalise the economy, created jobs and increased income, resulting in reduced poverty. The number of poor people had dropped from 12.8 million in 2000 to 7.5 million in 2004, while the income share of the lowest 20 per cent and middle 60 per cent had increased noticeably.

Sucheera Pinijparakarn

The Nation