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Published on December 20, 2007

"Does Thailand want to get stuck in never-ending political conflict?" asked Abhisit. "Does Thailand still need the same old corrupt politicians that failed us?"

Abhisit was asked his position on many issues, both before and after his talk.

He said there would be no autonomous status for the strife-torn provinces in the far South.  And he had no plan for a new Constitution - amendment of the charter would suffice.  It was the same for the controversial Internal Security Bill, if passed by the National Legislative Assembly in the days ahead - he would amend it, but not abolish the law.

Privatisation was good, he said, as long as it was done properly. And on Burma, he said his approach would be "softer than Europe".

Asked about a purported deal with the military junta to share power after the election, he replied: "We're not interested in making any deal with the military. Believe me, the Democrats will be out there opposing it [if the Army doesn't return to the barracks]."

Asked about the probability of another coup in the near future, he said generals would "think twice" about it because it had been shown that it's easier to seize control of the state rather than run it properly.

Pravit Rojanaphruk

The Nation