Thailand's new leader embarks on damage control

Thailand’s new interim prime minister devoted today to meetings with Asian, European, African and US diplomats, hoping to explain the post-coup political situation and repair the country’s damaged reputation.

Meanwhile, the country’s king endorsed a 242-member parliament that was appointed by coup leaders and includes civil servants, military officers, police, politicians, Muslim leaders, journalists and lawyers.

Prime minister Surayud Chulanont and foreign minister Nitya Pibulsonggram started their day of diplomacy with ambassadors from the 10-country Association of South-East Asian Nations, of which Thailand is a member.

More meetings were scheduled with 23 diplomats from Asia and Africa, said government spokesman Yongyuth Maiyalarb.

Afternoon talks were planned with 11 diplomats from the United States and Pacific nations, followed by a session with 25 diplomats from European countries and Russia.

Thailand’s new cabinet was sworn in on Monday, two weeks after a military coup ousted ex-prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who was accused of widespread corruption and abuse of power.

Thaksin was on an official trip to New York during the September 19 coup. He has since been in London.

Western nations and human rights groups have denounced the coup as a setback to democracy, and have urged the current government to quickly lift restrictions imposed by the military under martial law.

Surayud said he tried to assuage foreign diplomats’ concerns about the coup, and assured them that his government would respect the commitments made with foreign nations during Thaksin’s regime.

“I explained to them the urgent need to end the divisions and conflict in the nation,” Surayud told reporters, adding that he hoped foreigners would give his administration time to prove itself before casting judgment.

“I do believe that they will understand us more after my government resolves some problems.”

Coup leaders are investigating Thaksin’s alleged corruption and accusations that he crafted policy to enrich himself and his family.

At Monday’s swearing-in ceremony, Thailand’s revered King Bhumibol Adulyadej urged the government to repair “the reputation of our country”.

“Foreigners say that Thailand is not good, so we have to correct that,” Bhumibol said.