BANGKOK: Thailand's prime minister Wednesday pledged to help low earners and farmers and tackle drug crime as he outlined his policy agenda ahead of an election that he hopes will heal deep political wounds.
In a televised speech, Abhisit Vejjajiva claimed success in his stewardship of the economy since coming to power in December 2008 through a parliamentary vote with the backing of the Bangkok based elite and the military.
"We will push ahead with several policies which we are confident will make Thais stronger," he said.
Abhisit, the British-born, Oxford-educated head of the establishment Democrat Party, has said he expects to dissolve the lower house of parliament in the first week of May for an election to be held by early July.
His platform includes an increase of at least 25 percent in the minimum wage for labourers and factory workers in the next two years and a 25 percent increase of guaranteed prices for agricultural products for farmers.
"We are determined to solve and end the drug problem. Our policy on drugs will be in line with laws starting with prevention, suppression and healing," he added.
Thai society remains bitterly divided following the worst civil violence in decades a year ago which left more than 90 people dead in street clashes between "Red Shirt" opposition protesters and armed troops in central Bangkok.
Yingluck Shinawatra, a sister of fugitive former Thai premier Thaksin Shinawatra a hero to many Red Shirts has emerged as a possible opposition candidate for prime minister.
In remarks which appeared to be aimed mainly at the Red Shirt leaders, Thailand's army chief General Prayut Chan-O-Cha warned political figures to keep the revered monarchy out of the election debate.
"Especially with politics, do not drag the monarchy into it. This institution is above all conflicts," he said, adding that the military "will do its duty to protect the monarchy".
Prayut has pledged to abide by the results of the poll and has brushed aside rumours of a military coup.
But that has not dampened speculation about possible military intervention in a country that has seen 18 actual or attempted coups since 1932.
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