国际英语新闻：Thai PM talks to assure people: gov't in charge

BANGKOK, April 13 (Xinhua) -- Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva made two television speeches in early hours of Monday in a bid to restore people's confidence on his government's capability to control situation, after anti-government protests turned violent and forced him to declare state of emergency twice in two days.

    Abhisit appeared on state TV NBT after midnight, first time flanked with ministers, army and police top officials in charge of securities, the second alone. The two speeches carried the same key information, which was that the Abhisit government was not as soft and lonely as some people has judged from what they have seen in events in the past 48 hours.

Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva speaks during a news conference at the interior ministry in Bangkok April 12, 2009.

In the last speech, the PM made an appeal to the tens of thousands of "red-shirt" protesters who camped outside the Government House throughout Sunday, to start negotiation with the government rather than continuing the "unlawful" rallies in Bangkok.

    He had discussed security measures with ministers, police and military top brass to find ways, effective while legal, to bring peace and order back to the country.

    He told people not to panic, and not to be misled by some false information about the lack of coordination between government, police and the army.

Anti-government protestors congregate in front of Government house in Bangkok, capital of Thailand, on April 12, 2009. Red-shirted protestors forced into the Interior Ministry on Sunday, soon after Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva declared a state of emergency in Bangkok and some districts in five nearby provinces.

The remarks were believed to be responding to rumors that the Abhisit government lacked support from the police and army, which was why the security forces were reluctant to act against the red-shirted protesters who stormed the ASEAN and related summits venue in Pattaya on Saturday and state institutions in Bangkok on Sunday.

    The government was forced to cancel the summits schedule and declared a state of emergency over Pattaya, and later lifted it after protesters retreated to Bangkok, claiming victory over the cancellation of summits.

    On Sunday, citing danger of escalating violence, Abhisit imposed the emergency decree over Bangkok and surrounding areas.

Anti-government protestors smash a car of security guards of Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva inside the Interior Ministry in Bangkok, capital of Thailand, on April 12, 2009. Red-shirted protestors forced into the Interior Ministry on Sunday, soon after Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva declared a state of emergency in Bangkok and some districts in five nearby provinces.

Some rumors even had the suspicion that a military coup might be launched to take over the power from the Abhisit government.

    Abhisit said police and soldiers have been deployed around Bangkok to keep things under control.

    The next three to four days will be crucial, during which people will see "real change" of situation, said Abhisit. The government will prove its capability by bringing law and order back to the country by taking tougher measures against the protests.

Thai soliders stand guard as anti-government protestors block a road in front of the Interior Ministry in Bangkok, capital of Thailand, on April 12, 2009. Red-shirted protestors forced into the Interior Ministry on Sunday, soon after Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva declared a state of emergency in Bangkok and some districts in five nearby provinces

As a proof of the tougher measures the government promised to use, Abhisit announced that the Pattaya court has issued arrest warrants for the five core leaders of the red-shirted group United Front of Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD). One of the leaders, Arisamun Pongruangrong, was already in custody, on charges of inciting violence and creating disorder in society.

    Whilst the Thai PM assured citizens that his government is reliable, his own safety remained on hold as earlier on the day his motorcade was attacked by red-shirted protesters outside the Interior Ministry. Local media reports said he was slightly injured in the riot, but the government denied it.

    He said he's ready to step down or dissolve the House of Representatives if only the moves will bring peace to the country. "My own position is not important," said Abhisit.

    The red-shirted protesters wanted Abhisit to step down and declared their loyalty to Thaksin Shinawatra, the former premier ousted by a military coup on Sept. 19, 2006 and in exile ever since, who urged his supporters on Sunday evening to join the rally at Government House to topple the Abhisit government.

    In the latest TV speech, the fifth for the embattled Thai PM since Sunday morning, Abhisit said the aim of the protests by the red-shirted people were beyond "democracy" as the protesters claimed they wanted to achieve.

    "Those ill-intentioned people will be disappointed," said Abhisit.