KING: TAKE COURAGE
Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont leads the 26 members of his cabinet to swear an oath of allegiance to His Majesty the King at the Chitralada Palace recently. |
New cabinet told to restore Thailand's battered image
POST REPORTERS
His Majesty the King yesterday called on the interim cabinet to give priority to correcting the international community's perception of Thailand following the Sept 19 coup d'etat. The King made the call while addressing the 26 new ministers, led by Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont, who were sworn in at the Chitrlada Palace yesterday afternoon.
''A lot of people who are not Thai, who are foreigners, are saying that Thailand is not good. We have to try to change that,'' the King said, without directly mentioning the events of Sept 19.
''If we don't, our country will lose its good name and it will be difficult for our people to live happily. If they say Thai people are not good, it is not only the government but all Thais who will be considered 'not good'.
''Therefore, we have to try and change what is not good, to improve matters. And that is difficult,'' the King said.
''I wish you courage in your work so that you can overcome obstacles,'' he added.
The King thanked the new ministers for agreeing to take up their duties at this critical juncture.
''I believe you can carry out your duties even though you have only a short time [to do them]. This is because you are knowledgeable, capable people with experience,'' he said.
''I thank you for accepting this heavy duty and hope you will carry it out with fortitude so that the country will survive the crisis and prosper.
''May you succeed in the performance of your duties, and enjoy good health,'' he concluded.
The King began his speech by emphasising the importance of the ministers performing their duties with honesty and dedication.
''Ministers have a duty to perform their duties with honesty as you have sworn to do,'' he said.
''This is because the country will not fare very well if the elders do not perform their duties with dedication. But you have vowed to do this, and since you have done so, may you keep your word by performing your duties honestly and single-mindedly.''
The monarch at the same time emphasised the need for the ministers to do their best for the country.
''Because the country has come to a critical juncture, not only must you perform your duties honestly but also to the best of your abilities,'' he said.
''The situation requires you to apply your abilities so that the country will prosper. Even nature holds its dangers,'' the King said before dwelling at length on the problem of floods.
give priority to
to treat as being the most important
perception
the way you think about something
swear in
to officially accept someone into a position by having them promise to carry out their duties honestly and well
courage
bravery; the quality of carrying out a job that may be difficult and dangerous, even though you may be afraid
obstacles
difficulties; things that make something difficult to do
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critical juncture
an especially important point in time
fortitude
the quality of being brave, calm and uncomplaining when experiencing something unpleasant or painful
survive
to manage to continue to live in spite of a difficult situation
crisis
a situation in which there are one or more very serious problems
prosper
to be successful and to do well
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emphasising
stressing
dedication
giving a lot of time and effort in doing something
elders
respected older people
the monarch
the King
dwelling
focusing on, especially something unpleasant
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