Touts record, promises more economic, tourism development
Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva receives a warm welcome from adoring
fans as his campaign trail swings through Pattaya. The PM was in town
over the weekend to support local Democratic Party candidates, and to
elucidate his party’s platform. (Full story and more photos on page 5.)
Staff reporters
Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva led top Democratic
Party officials and candidates in July’s general election on a campaign
swing through the Eastern Seaboard, touting the ruling party’s
achievements and promising too boost drug suppression and tourism
development.
Flanked by Finance Minister Korn Chatikavanij, Deputy Commerce Minister
Alongkorn Polabut and MP hopefuls, including Pattaya’s Surat
Mekavarakul, Abhisit highlighted the government’s efforts in the past
two years, including a five-prong drug-control strategy, free primary
education, stipends for senior citizens and price controls on rubber and
petroleum.
At campaign stops in Sattahip and Pattaya, the premier promised to
accelerate economic development by increasing the minimum wage by 25
percent, expanding Laem Chabang Port and pushing through projects to
improve the environment.
“In the previous election, the people of Chonburi showed their
confidence for the Democratic Party,” Abhisit said at the May 29 rally
on Beach Road, Soi 4. “The east is a critical area and that’s why the
government has driven projects to promote and empower industry here.”
More than 500 people turned out for the rally, many offering the prime
minister flower garlands and seeking autographs. Among the crowd were
more than 200 Royal Thai Police officers, led by regional commander Lt.
Gen. Thangai Pratsajaksattru and Gen. Aswin Kwanmuang, the national
police force’s No. 2 official.
With more than 150 riot police on hand for security, the rally also
proved peaceful with just a single red-shirted government opponent
trying to push her way toward the premier. The woman, with a small girl
also dressed in red in her arms, was turned away.
Abhisit focused most of his comments on past achievements and future
promises, but did take a swipe at the red shirts and the Puea Thai Party
that supports them.
The prime minister argued that the Democrats have spent their time in
office working for the needs of individuals and have built a platform to
continue that work if re-elected. By contrast, he claimed, Puea Thai has
made changing amnesty laws its primary goal so that fugitive ex-Prime
Minister Thaksin Shinawatra can return to Thailand and not be jailed on
his corruption conviction.
“The Democratic Party focuses on projects for the people’s needs,” he
said.
Among those projects were the government’s 15 years of free education
program, support for a 2.5 million baht budget to promote sustainable
tourism, approval of a high-speed train line linking Bangkok with
Rayong, and expansion of Laem Chabang Port. If re-elected, Abhisit
promised, the government would proceed with wastewater reprocessing
projects to improve the environment and income support for farmers.
Drug suppression also remains a top goal for the party. Saying Bangkok
and surrounding metropolitan areas still suffer from a severe drug
problem, the premier pledged the government would continue to push its
“five fences” drug-control policy.
At a stop at Wiwat Polamuang School 3, a drug-rehabilitation facility
operated by the Royal Thai Navy in Sattahip, Abhisit noted the Democrats
created a unique program that has police work jointly with the military
and private sector to control drugs.
Abhisit said there are five fronts, or fences, in the government’s drug
war: Thailand’s borders, the community, society, families and schools.
Each fence has to contain drug use within its borders in order for the
narcotics plague to be wiped out, he said.
“We have to help each other. Do not assume it’s only the government’s
responsibility,” Abhisit told the crowd of more than 200 in Sattahip.
“If people cooperate with authorities and take their joint action
seriously, the problem can be solved.”
Prime Minister Abhisit
Vejjajiva takes to the stage on Beach Road in Pattaya to introduce the
local contingent of Democratic Party candidates.
Many supporters turned up
to cheer on and have their pictures taken with the PM.
One publicity seeking red
shirt protestor and her innocent granddaughter were turned away.
The Prime Minister meets
with folks in Sattahip.
Prime Minister Abhisit
Vejjajiva holds a talk with people at Wiwat Polamuang School.
