PM lauds red shirt for avoiding violence

Meanwhile, small groups of protesters rallied against the government in Cha-am yesterday.

In his pre-recorded speech aired on NBT channel yesterday, Abhisit said he would like to thank the Democratic Alliance Against Dictatorship and the red-shirted people for demonstrating peacefully in front of Government House last week and for not trying to disrupt the Asean summit in Hua Hin and Cha-am.

The prime minister also thanked police and soldiers for helping maintain order during the red-shirt demonstrations.

Abhisit said he had not ignored the demands of the protesters.

He said the legal cases against the People's Alliance for Democracy were proceeding straightforwardly, according to the system.

"I believe there will be some progress in the legal cases and other issues before the red-shirted people hold another massive rally in another month," Abhisit said in the recorded speech.

On the protesters' demand for political reform, Abhisit said the government and opposition had agreed to have the King Prajadhipok's Institute to lead the reform process. Abhisit said the institute's board would make a decision on Friday whether to accept the invitation to lead the reform.

The prime minister added if the opposition holds a censure debate against the government in the middle of this month, he will be ready to answer the opposition's questions.

Meanwhile, a group of 10 protesters rallied in front of the Sheraton Hua Hin Hotel where foreign reporters stayed.

The protesters, who called themselves the Middle Class Club, arrived in front of the hotel at 8.30 am. They carried banners in English and Chinese and some of the signs read "Thai Majority Denies Govt" and "Terrorist-based Government". They called on the government to dissolve the House and hold a new election as soon as possible.

Pannathat Pongpaphanan, secretary of the club, said his group would not rally at the venue of the summit at the Dusit Thani Hua Hin Hotel.

Pol Maj-General Charnchai Kittichan, deputy commissioner of the Provincial Police Bureau 7 in charge of Phetchaburi and Prachuap Khiri Khan, said police did not stop the protesters because it was normal to have a protest against the government in a democratic country.