Thai PM stresses national reconciliation after election

Thai Caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra said on Monday he would consider proposals concerning national reconciliation to put an end to the ongoing political turmoil, which displayed no sign of ceasing after the completion of ballot-casting in the troubled country.

"I am ready to accept any proposals on how to achieve national reconciliation," the embattled premier told the press before walking into a meeting room at Thai Rak Thai Party headquarters.

He hinted no matter whether he would continue to be the prime minister, reconciliation of all warring parties is of the prime importance.

Early returns shows that although TRT was set to win all parliamentary seats in capital and most in the North and Northeast, it still faces the big threat of "no vote" in Bangkok and the restive South, which could in the end foil the party's efforts to win at least half of the total ballots.

Earlier, the prime minister has promised to step down if he fails to garner half of the votes.

Thaksin called the election three years early in a bid to reassert his mandate after weeks of street protests against his leadership over allegations of corruption and abuse of power.

Final results were expected only late on Monday, with counting proceeds slowly in some provinces, according to the Election Commission.

Everyone should respect the people's decision, whatever the result is, Thaksin told reporters at the party headquarters after the voting Sunday.

National police chief Kowit Watana said on the same day that the protests should stop and the rule of law have to be returned after the election.

Source: Xinhua