Former Thai PM calls for unity amid crisis<\/p>\n
BANGKOK (AFP): Thailand's respected elder statesman Prem
\nTinsulanonda appealed to the opposition and the nation yesterday
\nto rally around beleaguered Premier Chavalit Yongchaiyudh to help
\nthe country weather its chronic economic storm.<\/p>\n
The former premier, a Privy Councillor and close aide to King
\nBhumibol Adulyadej, urged unity among political adversaries and
\nthe support and confidence of the people for the government's bid
\nto end the crisis.<\/p>\n
\"If we want our country to get back to the old situation, we
\nmust not separate the prime minister, ministers or whosoever, we
\nhave to all be on one side,\" he said.<\/p>\n
\"We must stop everything that can damage or divide us and
\nparticularly (we should see the) prime minister as the
\nrepresentative of all the Thai people,\" he said.<\/p>\n
The plea came after the International Monetary Fund (IMF)
\napproved last week a US$16.7 billion rescue package to bail our
\nthe country's embattled economy.<\/p>\n
The deal means a period of tough austerity for Thais which is
\nlikely to be widely unpopular.<\/p>\n
Prem made his call as the government came under increasing
\nfire from the opposition and big business for its handling of the
\nslump which has seen scores of finance firms suspended while the
\nstocks and currency markets have plunged.<\/p>\n
It came just three days ahead of a parliamentary debate on the
\neconomy and three weeks before a crucial no confidence motion
\nwhich could see the nine-month-old government fall.<\/p>\n
Analysts said the comments of Prem -- who top politicians see
\nin times of crisis -- reflected top-level concerns that political
\ninstability could further jeopardize the economy and undermine
\nmeasures to correct it.<\/p>\n
Speaking at a news conference at his Bangkok home to mark his
\n77th birthday, Prem called on the public to show courage during
\nthe \"painful\" period during which the government will apply IMF-
\nsupported austerity measures.<\/p>\n
He told guests, who included the prime minister, senior
\nmilitary leaders and captains of business and industry, that the
\ncountry would weather the serious financial drama.<\/p>\n
\"It has happened before so Thai people have to cooperate to
\nsolve this problem successfully,\" Prem said at the early morning
\nbriefing which was broadcast live on national radio and
\ntelevision.<\/p>\n
\"We should therefore not worry about this problem, we just
\nhave to be confident that we will solve the problem successfully.<\/p>\n
\"The Thai people must have confidence in the government's
\nmeasures and must cooperate and have the courage to fight the
\ncrisis,\" he said.<\/p>\n
\"It will be necessary for all Thai people to feel the pain
\nand everybody should try to be a doctor for this pain,\" he said.<\/p>\n
The IMF package calls for tight austerity measures to be
\nimposed on the country in a bid to bring Thailand's accounts back
\ninto the black.<\/p>\n
But analysts say that public and business confidence in the
\nIMF measures and in the government's ability to implement them is
\ncrucial if the country is to see a relatively quick economic
\nrecovery.<\/p>\n
\"The call by Prem seems to indicate how crucially the top
\nauthorities feel the proper implementation of sound economic
\nmeasures is, and how important they feel political stability is
\nfor that to happen,\" one analyst said.<\/p>\n
The opposition and businessmen have slammed the government for
\nits handling of the crisis amid repeated calls for its
\nresignation.<\/p>\n
The IMF, which is expected to unblock an initial $3.9 billion
\nto bolster Thailand's flagging foreign exchange reserves, has
\nreportedly said the economic crisis had been heightened by
\npolitical squabbling.<\/p>",
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