Thailand’s new Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said on Wednesday he would unveil a "grand plan" for reconciliation and the revival of the economy after months of political turmoil.
The Oxford-educated 44-year-old made the comments in his first public speech as premier after receiving an official royal decree of appointment from widely revered King Bhumibol Adulyadej.
British-born Abhisit, the head of the Democrat Party, won a parliamentary vote on Monday with the help of defectors from the former ruling party which was loyal to ousted premier Thaksin Shinawtra.
"It is my every intention to restore the picture of Thailand that friends all around the world used to know," he said. "I will do this through a grand plan of reconciliation based on the rule of law and democratic process."
Dressed in a white ceremonial uniform and speaking in Thai and then English, Abhisit said protests against the previous government which blocked Bangkok’s airports had damaged Thailand’s image internationally.
His speech gave few specific policy details but Abhisit said he wanted not just to end the turmoil "but also take Thailand forward politically and economically ".
Television showed King Bhumibol signing the decree, followed by a stern-faced Abhisit prostrating himself in front of a portrait of the 81-year-old monarch at the headquarters of the Democrat Party.
Abhisit earlier said his government would announce an economic stimulus programme by January and pledged to choose a "competent" cabinet.
His cabinet list is expected Wednesday or Thursday and a hotly-tipped candidate for finance minister is Korn Chatikavanij, a former manager at investment bank JPMorgan Chase and the Democrats’ deputy leader.
Korn studied with Abhisit at Oxford, taking the same course, and told AFP on Wednesday he was "ready for the finance minister post" if asked.
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