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Navigation Primary Navigation Home Singapore Asia Pacific World Business Entertainment Sports Technology Top Stories Most Popular Secondary Navigation Australia China India Indonesia Japan Malaysia Philippines Thailand Vietnam Search Search: New Thai PM launches charm offensive AFP - 44 minutes ago BANGKOK (AFP) - - New Thai prime minister Abhisit Vejjajiva launched a charm offensive Thursday to try to win over foes who support ousted leader Thaksin Shinawatra, as his party finalised its cabinet line-up. British-born Abhisit, who was voted in by parliament on Monday after the Thaksin-linked ruling party was dissolved by a court in early December, is expected to unveil his cabinet on Friday after royal approval. He told Thai media on Thursday that he would visit the populous northeastern region known as Isan -- Thailand's poorest area and a stronghold of Thaksin where Abhisit's Democrat Party has struggled to win support. "When the appropriate time comes and I have a mission, I will travel there," Abhisit said in an interview on an army-run television station. Abhisit's comments came a day after he vowed a "grand plan of reconciliation" to heal Thailand's rifts after months of protests against the previous pro-Thaksin government, led by the now defunct People Power Party. The rallies culminated in the occupation of Bangkok's two airports late last month, a move which stranded hundreds of thousands of tourists, battered the economy and harmed Thailand's international reputation. The Democrat Party managed to end eight years in opposition by wooing small parties away from the PPP after its dissolution, but Abhisit is now faced with a shaky coalition and major economic and political challenges. "Many people have a negative attitude towards me. In order to achieve my work I have to rely on everybody. I am democratic and ready to listen, even though they do not agree with me, I have to understand their viewpoints." Twice-elected Thaksin was overthrown in a military coup in September 2006 and although he lives in exile to escape a jail term on corruption charges, Thailand remains deeply divided between his supporters and detractors. Abhisit, an urbane Oxford graduate whose name means "privileged", failed to make a dent in Thaksin's support base in the north and northeast during the post-coup elections in December 2007 that brought the PPP to power. Abhisit said he wants Thaksin to return to Thailand to face several corruption cases against him currently in the courts, adding: "I think that Thai society will be kind to him and give him forgiveness." Despite the PPP's convincing election win a year ago, courts have in 2008 removed two PPP prime ministers to pave the way for the Democrats' ascent to power. This has angered pro-Thaksin and PPP supporters who feel they have been robbed of their democratic rights, and groups have vowed to protest outside parliament next week when Abhisit gives his policy statement. "In a democratic society they can rally with placards to express their demands, but they should not intend to hurt or kill me -- that will not help anyone," Abhisit said. Powerful army chief General Anupong Paojinda, meanwhile, said he had another plan for winning over the northeast -- sending in the troops. "We can't force them to love certain people. If they get angry, we have to talk to them calmly ... Soldiers can go into the local areas and talk to people there," he was quoted as saying in the Bangkok Post newspaper. Abhisit had Wednesday said in a televised address he wanted to "take Thailand forward politically and economically." The 44-year-old has also promised to try to restore confidence in the tourism sector after the seizure of Bangkok's airports by the royalist People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD). The group counts a Democrat Party lawmaker among its key leaders. Speculation continued in local media on the possible identity of future ministers in the coalition government. A hotly-tipped candidate for finance minister is Korn Chatikavanij, a former manager at investment bank JPMorgan Chase and the Democrats' deputy leader, who told AFP Wednesday he was "ready for the finance minister post" if asked. The Democrat Party also planned to ask former army chief General Prawit Wongsuwon to be defence minister, party secretary general Suthep Tuagsuban said. Email Story IM Story Printable View Blog This Recommend this article Average (1 vote) Sign in to recommend this article » Most Recommended Stories » Related Articles: Asia Pacific 2 bomb blasts hit south Philippine city, killing 2AP - 29 minutes ago Sri Lanka claims capture of rebel fortificationsAP - 37 minutes ago New Thai PM launches charm offensiveAFP - 41 minutes ago 30 years transform China, but not its politicsAP - 54 minutes ago AVA lifts suspension on import of China milk productsChannel NewsAsia - 1 hour 16 minutes ago Enlarge Photo New Thai PM launches charm offensive Most Popular – Asia Pacific Viewed 'Dark energy' expands, contracts universe: researchers Bush laughs off Iraq flying shoes drama Actress Jennifer Aniston appears naked in GQ magazine OPEC agrees to record cut in oil output: Saudi minister Fed cuts rate to virtually zero, will expand stimulus moves View Complete List » Search: Home Singapore Asia Pacific World Business Entertainment Sports Technology Top Stories Most Popular

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