PM to speak at Oxford on democracy

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva is set to deliver a speech on democracy in Thai politics at Oxford University on Saturday evening Thailand time.

The speech, entitled Taking on the Challenges of Democracy, will be given at 5pm Thailand time or 10am local time.

The Oxford-educated prime minister has faced opposition to his plan to deliver his speech at St John's College from an Oxford academic and the international media.

Oxford lecturer Lee Jones earlier accused Mr Abhisit in his blog of being undemocratic, violating press freedom in Thailand and enforcing lese majeste charges against his political rivals.