Opposition slams govt over failures

With the government expected to declare its achievements after three months in office soon, the Democrats have launched an attack, accusing it of failing to build confidence and creating problems that will backfire.

Democrat Party spokesman Ong-art Klampaiboon said the government had failed the evaluation of its work over the three months as it had focused on Constitution amendment instead of solving the people's problems.

Although the government's work was affected by external factors, its failure was partly because of the government's own weaknesses, Ong-art said. It lacked a clear direction in administration. Ministers, especially in charge of the economy, had failed to work as a team.

The government made mistakes in its administration causing rice (grain) prices to skyrocket while the paddy price was still low. Moreover, its attempt in pushing for Constitution amendment had stirred the people's resistance and could lead to political turmoil, Ong-art said.

The government's harsh words against criticism, and its own criticism against others would also backfire, Ong-art said.

The government should have prevented people from causing lese majeste, he said. The monarchy should remain untouchable as former prime minister Surayud Chulanont, a privy councillor, had said.

The Democrats had called on Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej to take action against PM's Office Minister Jakrapob Penkair for giving an inappropriate speech related to the monarchy. In the meantime it would take separate action against Jakrapob for malfeasance.

The party plans to file an impeachment motion against Jakrapob in Parliament on Wednesday.

Ong-art said the Democrats did not support a military coup. They believe a coup will not happen as the government claims. Saying there were reports of an impending coup was just part of the government's political strategy.

If it had really known about a planned coup, it should have known how to prevent it, he said.

Reacting to People Power Party's accusation that the Democrats were dominated by an "invisible hand" and joining the anti-government group People's Alliance for Democracy, Ong-art said the party leader holds a position that nobody could dominate.

Meanwhile, the administration suddenly postponed its state of the nation report from today until later this month, government spokesman Wichianchot Sukchotrat said yesterday.

He said it was because the collection of information involved had not been completed yet.

"The government will certainly announce its achievements within this month," he said, adding the public would be better informed of what the government had done over the past three months in office. He was responding to criticism that the current administration had achieved little.