UPDATE 1-Protests delay Thai PM's maiden policy speech

(Adds speech delayed)

By Darren Schuettler

BANGKOK, Dec 29 (Reuters) - Hundreds of anti-government protesters blocked entrances to Thailand's parliament on Monday, forcing the maiden policy speech of Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva to be delayed.

Red-shirted supporters of Thaksin Shinawatra, who was ousted as prime minister in a coup in 2006, had massed around parliament in protest at the election of former opposition leader Abhisit after horse-trading among the political parties two weeks ago.

The previous government, led by Thaksin's brother-in-law, had to step down after three parties in the ruling coalition were disbanded by the courts, which said they had committed vote fraud in a general election a year ago.

Satit Wongnongtaey, a minister in charge of relations with the media, said the delivery of the policy statement would probably be delayed for three to four hours if the gates to parliament remained blocked and government lawmakers were prevented from attending the session.

"We are still trying to negotiate with the protesters so that we can deliver the policy speech. If the session cannot start at 9:30 a.m., it will be delayed by three to four hours. It is up to the discretion of the parliament speaker," Satit told reporters.

Under the constitution, a new Thai government cannot start work officially until it delivers its policy statement to a joint sitting of the House of Representatives and Senate.

Abhisit was due to deliver his speech at 9:30 a.m. (0230 GMT) but the session had not started by that time.