First Abhisit Cabinet meeting tomorrow

Democrat deputy leader Jurin Laksanavisith said the policies would not include the controversial constitutional amendment, but the government would bring up political development as an issue.

Whether charter amendment would be needed later was another story, he said.

Jurin is also Education Minister.He said the government would propose strategies to solve the urgent problems of the restive South, including area development.

Besides the economy, the government would also expedite revival of international confidence in the country by hosting the Asean Summit.

The red-shirted anti-coup protesters have scheduled a rally in front of Parliament on Sunday,

raising fear of violence on the eve of the government's policy declaration.

From today to Friday, the Election Commission is open for candidates to register for a by-election to fill 29 MP seats made vacant by the People Power, Chart Thai and Matchima Thipataya parties' dissolution. It will be held in 22 provinces.

The election could mean a lot to Thai politics if it results in the number of MPs in the government coalition and the opposition being closer.

While the by-election date has been set for January 11,choices from the now-defunct parties could find election law obstacles to their qualifications. A candidate must have been a member of the party he or she represents for at least 90 days.

Pheu Thai Party MP Surapong Towijakchaikul said he would file a complaint against Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva to the National Anti-Corruption Commission for receiving short message delivery service from mobile companies.

Surapong said political office holders are prohibited from receiving gifts or benefits worth more than Bt3,000 from others, while the messaging service could have cost more.

He said he would also investigate allegations of a Democrat accused of paying MPs for voting for Abhisit as prime minister.