Thailand’s Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has called on his fellow citizens to join his Government in rebuilding the country, hit by the worst economic crisis in its history, in the same collective spirit they demonstrated in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.

“It is high time for the Government and all people in the country to work together.  We must overcome political conflict and work together in earnest,” said the Prime Minister in his nation-wide address Wednesday night.

He said that today was the first day in several months that he felt relieved and saw a flicker of light at the end of a tunnel in the fight to contain the pandemic.

Although victory is yet to be achieved, the Prime Minister said that the pandemic is manageable and Thailand has won worldwide recognition for its success in containing the disease adding, however, that “we must not lower our guard.”

The COVID-19 pandemic, he said, has demonstrated the capability and spirit of cooperation of the Thai people, as he urged everyone to show a similar spirit in striving together to rebuild the country.

In the post-COVID-19 period, the Prime Minister promised that the Government will adopt a “New Normal” working style and will pull together all sectors of society for brain storming, to find solutions to the nation’s pressing problems.

He said that the Government is open to divergent views of all people who have good intentions for the country, adding that, starting next week, all sectors of society will be invited to share their visions and thoughts.

The Prime Minister also said that assessment of the performance of government units will, from now on, have input from the people.

Anticipating criticism of the Government’s new approach, he said that he is receptive to criticism and is ready to consider recommendations from critics.