Caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra yesterday received an unwelcome surprise from a man shouting for his ouster as he was arriving to deliver a speech at the Thai-Chinese Chamber of Commerce.

"Square face get out! Thaksin get out!" the man said at the top of his lungs.

Security officials quickly escorted the prime minister into the building on Sathorn Road and the unidentified man disappeared into the crowd.

The officials also removed leaflets attacking Thaksin from the scene.

Undeterred by the incident, Thaksin said he was upbeat about the economy though it had been battered by political uncertainty.

"Despite the gloomy mood, the economy actually grew 6.2 per cent in the first quarter," he said.

Thaksin predicted GDP to grow by 4.5 per cent this year citing robust exports and favourable commodity prices.

"Many people have misunderstood the government and tend to judge it hastily," he said.

Certain academics blamed the government for squandering public funds to sway votes that could in turn trigger economic ruin, he said.

"These people are either ignorant or finding a pretext to attack the government," he said.

He claimed his administration had lowered the debt-to-GDP rate from 61 per cent to 41 per cent.

Under his watch, the country's international reserves had risen to US$60 billion (Bt2.3 trillion), he said.

He voiced optimism that foreign investors would return once the political uncertainty ended.

"Confusion persists because relevant parties are struggling for power regardless of the consequences," he said.

His ruling party won a majority of 377 House seats but there

was a concerted movement to overthrow the government, he said.

Democratic rule with the King as head of state had prevailed because His Majesty signed the royal decree approving the new election on October 15, he said.

Talking to reporters after the speech, the prime minister said he expected Chat Thai Party leader Banharn Silapa-archa to succeed in forging reconciliation among politicians.

He said he saw the advertisement of the Democrat Party showcasing its leader Abhisit Vejjajiva as the next government leader.

"It is done in good taste," he said, adding his Thai Rak Thai Party had yet to come up with a campaign strategy.

Commenting on whether he would take a political break, he said he still had time to finalise his decision.

He dismissed speculation the new election might be postponed to November.

Worranaree Kosajan

The Nation