Thailand still has chronic problems in many areas and changes need to be made, especially politicians' behaviour, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said on Monday.

"Thailand has strong fundamentals but there are many chronic problems in the economic, social and political sectors. The political crisis caused by the power struggle and corruption has resulted in conflict throughout the country," Mr Abhisit said at a seminar on the government's reform policy.

"Political reform is important. If it fails, it could lead to further problems in politics and it is more complex than amending the constitution," he said. "Reforming the behaviour of politicians, however, is not achievable yet."

The prime minister said his 9 iron-clad rules set the standard for cabinet ministers.

Besides supporting the economy and bringing about reconciliation, the government was also responsible for laying down fundamentals for the future of the country through economic, social and political reforms, he said.

"If reform is to succeed, then rules that are not written down in the law must be applied to politicians," he said.

Mr Abhisit said the Government had a clear position on national reconciliation, as it respected the right to have differing views and encouraged people to express them within the framework of the law and without resorting to violence.

The Government would press ahead with its plan for a land and property tax and was preparing to establish a national savings project next year.

Source - The Bangkok Post