Democrats To Intensify Anti-corruption Laws

Democrats to intensify anti-corruption laws

BANGKOK: -- Abhisit Vejjajiva, leader of the main opposition Democrat Party, said Sunday his party would gear the country to a new direction before facing the new round of financial crisis and to also amend laws which could punish persons who have been corrupted at any time.

Speaking during a seminar in Bangkok, Mr. Abhisit, who has begun his campaign for the general election due to be held October 15, said his party's greatest mission was to set the new direction for the country as it believed that people would suffer from economic problems created by mistakes of the current government.

He said his party, if elected, would also amend the law to remove any statue of limitations to punish persons accused of corruption, while those who are the injured parties could file lawsuits directly with the courts.

Mr. Abhisit said complaints could be filed without passing through police, prosecutors or the Office of the National Counter Corruption Commission in order to protect these agencies from political intervention.

Pledging that his party would also solve the problem of media interference, Mr. Abhisit said the Democrats would issue a law designed to give protection to professional media.

Apart from that, the Democrat party leader also promised to raise the daily minimum wage as much as Bt13, and to find ways to lower oil product costs and electricity fees.

He said his party will conduct a study on private debts and provide advice to debtors which could lead to debt settlement.

The Democrat Party is scheduled to announce its policies as a people's agenda this Wednesday.

--TNA 2006-08-07