Q1 (by Nirmal Ghosh, Straits Times): Since assuming office you’ve spoken of reconciliation. Yet one and half years later, we see Thailand even more divided. There’s no sign of any reconciliation. It seems as if there is suppression of the elements that you are talking about, part of the Red Shirt movement, the leadership, and so forth. How realistic is this reconciliation plan of yours given this history?
PM Abhisit: Well, first, I’ve always talked about reconciliation that is based on the rule of law.  Every time that we took an initiative …

PM Abhisit (centre) is seen briefing the foreign press about the recent Bangkok violence
Last Saturday, ten days after the violent riot in Thailand’s capital city of Bangkok ended with arson attacks and lootings, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva had an official meeting with the representatives of foreign media, after a briefing to foreign envoys and representatives of international organisations, to explain what had happened during the two-month-long protest of a group called the “United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD)” or the “Red Shirts” and what the government plans to do …

Your Majesty, Excellencies, Distinguished Delegates, Ladies and Gentlemen,
 
First of all, I would like to extend the profound gratitude of the people of Thailand to His Majesty the Sultan of Brunei Darussalam and the other 14 Leaders who have expressed their best wishes for the good health and continued recovery of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand.Your Majesty, Ladies and Gentlemen,
 

 
Upon assuming our Chairmanship, Thailand laid down three goals. The first is to realise the ASEAN Charter. We have operationalised new organs under the Charter. The inauguration of the ASEAN …

Leaders of the 10-member ASEAN and ASEAN secretary-general Surin Pitsuwan (extreme right) poses for the photo session during the closing ceremony.
The 15th ASEAN Summit and related summits among the leaders of the 10 Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) member countries and their six dialogue partners in Cha-am and Hua Hin districts in the provinces of Phetchaburi and Prachuap Khiri Khan ended today with the official closing ceremony at Dusit Thani Hotel.
The summit of the ASEAN leaders with government heads of China, Japan, South Korea, India, Australia and New Zealand …

Leaders of ASEAN countries and ASEAN secretary-general are seen during a photo session of the 14th Summit opening ceremony.
Thailand has decided to hold the 15th Summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) during October 23-25 in two well-known adjoining beach resorts of Cha-am and Hua Hin instead of the island province of Phuket.
Thailand’s Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva on Monday told reporters after the meeting among concerned agencies that the 15th ASEAN Summit and related meetings will take place in the seaside towns of Cha-am, Phetchaburi Province, …

Your Royal Highness,
Ministers,
The Secretary-General of ASEAN,
Excellencies,
Distinguished Delegates,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
 
It is indeed my great pleasure to welcome all of you to the 42nd ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (AMM) and to the island of Phuket, the “Pearl of the Andaman Sea.”
We gather here today in a city and province with a rich history – a city that has grown from a mining centre into a world famous tourism destination; a province that bravely weathered the devastation of the Tsunami of 2004 and has revitalised itself with the dynamic local economy that we …