New Thai government goes to work

BANGKOK, Dec. 23 (UPI) -- Thailand Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said Tuesday the government won't press for an expedited hearing on deposed premier Thaksin Shinawatra for graft.

After hearing the deposed leader may return to Thailand later this week, Abhisit said Thai officials wanted to wait, the Bangkok Post reported.

Abhisit called upon all parties to act respectfully after reports indicated the pro-Thaksin United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship may become active after Thaksin's return.

On Monday, Thailand's government was sworn in by King Bhumibol Adulyadej, who called on lawmakers to ensure happiness and order in a time of political and social turmoil.

The king told government leaders if they work well, "the country will be in good order and it will be a blessing to the country," The New York Times reported. "If you can ensure happiness and public order, the country will go ahead well, just like what all Thais want."

The new government took office after a court dissolved the previous governing party, the People Power Party, for electoral fraud, creating a power shift from Thaksin's allies to Abhisit's Democrat Party. The court's actions ended months of anti-government demonstrations that ended in a week-long takeover of Bangkok's two airports.