Samak and Abhisit both upbeat to lead

"I am ready to serve and the people will be the judge on who is best qualified to administer the country," Samak said on the sidelines of his campaign trial in Nong Khai.

He confirmed his stand that if installed in power, he would push for two urgent agendas  the dismantling of the Assets Examination Committee and the amnesty for 111 banned party executives.

He said he would rely on the rule of law to deal with any disturbances instigated by the People's Alliance for Democracy, seen as the antiThaksin movement, to oppose his leadership.

He dismissed the allegation that he tried to whitewash the legacy of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, arguing that the people could form their own judgement.

Abhisit pledged to be his own man in leading the country, if elected.

"To render their judgement, the people will choose between the Democrats with me as a genuine prime minister and a proxy leader who will act in the interest of his master," he said.

The Democrats are ready to lead the country out of the turmoil while a certain party will clearly revive the social divisions because it is determined to interfere with the judicial process in order to shield Thaksin from the legal wrangling, he said.

He said he would allow the judicial review to run its course and that he would guarantee Thaksin to a fair chance to defend himself.

The Nation