PM vows to move Thailand forward
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As Thailand's political situation is gradually stabilizing, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva on Friday urged the Thai people to be united and take part in his proposed-reconciliation roadmap.
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Thai soldiers search at a "red-shirt" protestors camp in Bangkok, capital of Thailand, May 20, 2010. [Chen Duo/Xinhua] |
![Thai soldiers search at a 'red-shirt' protestors camp in Bangkok, capital of Thailand, May 20, 2010. [Chen Duo/Xinhua]](http://images.china.cn/attachement/jpg/site1007/20100521/000cf1bdd03f0d60900a3a.jpg "Thai soldiers search at a 'red-shirt' protestors camp in Bangkok, capital of Thailand, May 20, 2010. [Chen Duo/Xinhua]")
On the night of May 3, Abhisit gave a live televised address to propose the five-point roadmap to resolve the country's political crisis.
The Thai government was ready to hold a new general election on Nov. 14 if conditions are met, Abhisit said in that address.
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His address was made after the anti-government protestors officially ended their over-two-month long rally in central Bangkok on Wednesday.
Abhisit thanked all sides, including soldiers, police, other state officials, and those from the private sectors, who had cooperated to deal with the recent violence by the protestors.
Some 52 people lost their lives during a series of clashes between troops and protestors from May 14 to 20, the Erawan's Bangkok Emergency Medical Service Center told Xinhua late Thursday.
Some 401 others were wounded, bringing the total casualties to 453 during the last 7 days, the Erawan center said.
Abhisit said the Thai government is very sorry for the losses and this is one of the country's severe events.
"I would like to thank the people that have understood the Resolution of Emergency Situation's (CRES) need to operate to restore normalcy and to maintain rule of law," Abhisit said.
All of the CRES operations are implemented under concerned laws and international standards, with the total attempts to avoid losses and damages, the premier emphasized.
As the overall situation is easing, the government's urgent plan is to speed up the mental rehabilitation measures for those, who are affected by violence or terror acts, including arson, he said.
Security forces will also remain in capital Bangkok in order to ensure security for the general public, Abhisit said.
After that a justice process will be conducted as those who recently damaged the country have already been arrested, he said, and emphasized "all sides will be treated fairly."
"Now, our home was damaged, so I would like to invite all Thais to rebuild our home and manage to let the global community know this," the prime minister said.
