The plan to boost its image was discussed behind closed doors after the weekly Cabinet meeting.

Deputy Prime Minister Paiboon Wattanasiritham chaired the meeting in the absence of Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont, who is on an official visit to Japan.

"Cabinet members have had a frank discussion to map out how to expedite the passage of key laws and highlight achievements," PM's Office Minister Thirapat Serirangsan said.

Thirapat said his colleague Prasit Kovilaikool had been given the job to coordinate with the Council of State to expedite scrutiny of draft bills to get them to the National Legislative Assembly, for formal debate, as swiftly as possible.

In the first three months in office, the government drafted laws to ensure its legacy, however, a backlog of bills from the previous administration delayed the vetting process and made it appear the government had been doing little, he said.

Prasit would prioritise the draft bills to ensure all key laws were enacted within the remaining six months of the government's term, he said.

The government would release a report on Sunday detailing its achievements in its first six months in office, he said.

To publicise or showcase its achievements, each minister would highlight his or her job performance to

rebut claims of alleged inaction and slowness in implementing policies, Prasit said.

Prasit said he would try to reason with advocacy groups, such as the People's Alliance for Democracy, to convince them not to stage protests, as the government had not ignored their grievances, as alleged.

Piyanart Srivalo

The Nation