Grand reconciliation through social justice and rule of law : PM

In a 30-minute speech delivered to the Foreign Correspondents Club of Thailand, Abhisit was confident, reflective and at time humorous in talking about his "incredibly difficult tasks" in uniting a divisive society and bringing justice to those who have suffered from various ills.

He said his top priority was to get the political system working again and restoring the rule of law.

"The authorities should not look at their names but their actions," he said, adding that he would prove the critics wrong that he could not be neutral and treat everybody equally under the law.

The prime minister said that things were beginning to return to normal. He was also delighted that last week's by-election results had given a boost to his government.

Abhisit also said he did not worry about numbers in Parliament. If the government fails to deliver, he pointed out, then there is no reason for it to continue to govern. However, he said if the government could deliver, then there is no reason to change.

He revealed that the government is setting up a new mechanism to scrutinise cases of injustice, both individual and collective. This mechanism will comprise knowledgeable and neutral persons that have an understanding of the political and human-rights situation in Thailand over the past few years.

He said his economic stimulus package would put money into the pockets of the people, so that the economy will not be in a state of decline. He expects the stimulus measures to show results in the second and third quarters.

"I believe in my country and my people. Our character is very clear, it is our resilience, we come through many crises in the past, there is no reason why we cannot do it again," he said.

He said as the prime minister he has to earn the respect and cooperation from the public. "I am confident that I can earn it through my hard work, my education and honesty."

About 500 persons, including diplomat community, showed up at the event organized by Foreign Correspondents' of Thailand.

On Tuesday, Abhisit met with the representatives of Thai media community. He reiterated his government will not interfere with the media liberty and freedom of expression.

The prime minister managed to avoid some 30 red-shirt anti-government protesters who gathered outside the InterContinental Hotel last night to throw eggs at him.

Abhisit was to deliver his speech at a dinner hosted by the Foreign Correspondents Club of Thailand.

Somyos Pheuksakasemsuk, a leader of the red shirts, said his group would continue their egg-pelting campaign until the end of February, when they would start using rotten eggs for politicians from the ruling Democrat Party.