Premier urged to listen to all voices

Published on February 7, 2005

Democrat Party deputy leader Abhisit Vejjajiva yesterday urged the new government of Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra not to ignore public opinion, as his party looks set to take a stranglehold on Parlia-ment.

“If Thai Rak Thai wins overwhelming control of the House, the government should provide ways for the people to monitor the administration and should ensure the people’s right to free information,” Abhisit said.

He feared that Thai Rak Thai’s landslide victory would prevent the public from getting access to information. “Even during the past four years people have been denied access to information.”

He said he hoped Thai Rak Thai would listen to the voice of minorities and comments made outside Parliament. “I can say that the next government will be stable, but in a democratic society minority voices and views outside Parliament should be also recognised.

“Although the people have entrusted Thai Rak Thai to rule, it doesn’t mean they have given it absolute power,” Abhisit said.

He also hoped the new government would be broadminded enough to accept checks and monitoring by the media.

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