King urges Cabinet to rectify Thailand's image
His Majesty the King grants an audience to members of Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont’s Cabinet during the swearing-in ceremony at Chitralada Palace yesterday.
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Country 'is in dire straits'; flooding, other problems 'pose a danger'
His Majesty the King yesterday told the interim government to shore up the country's reputation in the international community and expressed confidence that the newly-appointed Cabinet could overcome this troubled time for the kingdom. "The country is in dire straits confronted with flooding and other problems and bad things about Thailand are widely said among Thais and foreigners, hence it is important to rectify the tainted image," the monarch said at the Cabinet's swearing-in ceremony. His Majesty gave encouragement to the 26 new ministers to strive for the improvement of the country, saying their task may be difficult and under time constraints, but job performance can be accomplished given their capability and experience. Interim Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont led Cabinet members for their first royal audience after unveiling his administration on Sunday. The King urged Cabinet members to work with honesty and a strong determination in steering the country out of its crisis. "The country is in the middle of a crisis and every ministry is obliged to perform honestly to its full capabilities if the problems are to be solved and prosperity ensured, as it is evident that even nature now poses some danger." His Majesty called attention to the ongoing floods and the urgency in assisting victims. "This year's rainfall has not increased, but the flooding is severe and has caused a lot of damage to the people. "This is happening because dykes have been wrongly located causing water to overflow as well as seeping up from below ground." He said the government should quickly minimise flood damage after realising certain dykes had triggered floods instead of preventing them. Defence Minister Boonrawd Somtas said he would heed the royal advice to organise relief for flood victims. His Majesty was concerned about the foreign perception of the country and the government should try to forge the international understanding about the domestic situation, he said. PM's Office Minister Khunying Dhipavadee Meksawan said she would give her full attention to resolving the plight of the people. She pledged to uphold her office with honesty.
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