Thai PM hints he might step aside 'temporarily'

Thailand's embattled Prime Minister, Thaksin Shinawatra, hinted yesterday that he might give in to growing demands for his immediate resignation by stepping aside 'temporarily' to concentrate on his campaign for next month's snap elections.

The billionaire ex-telecom tycoon is anxious to ease tensions in Bangkok, where tens of thousands of protestors have massed, week after week, to denounce his alleged corruption and abuses of power.

The political future of Mr Thaksin's 'Thais Love Thais' party is in jeopardy after he alienated the urban middle class in January by allowing a billion pound tax-free windfall for his family.

Mr Thaksin, who denies any impropriety, has yet to name a stand-in caretaker or to disclose when, or for how long, he might relinquish power.

"This does not mean that I would bow to mob rule," he told reporters at an election rally in Buriram province.

"I have to take some time to consider, because I have a duty to complete my mission."

The populist leader was elected by a landslide to a second four-year term in February 2005, although this mandate looks shaky after six months of unrelenting political attacks against one of Asia's wealthiest men.

Most of Mr Thaksin's support base is in the countryside.

His party won no seats in the conflict-ridden southern border provinces.

The Prime Minister appeared to back away almost immediately from his unexpected compromise.

"How could I give up when there are so many people out here to support me? I would be crazy if I did," Mr Thaksin thundered to 35,000 rowdy supporters at a provincial rally.

Earlier, he had proposed a neutral body to reform the Thai constitution and hold a new election within 15 months.

The opposition quashed that suggestion, insisting that no one on a panel appointed by the premier would remain impartial.

A movement to limit any prime minister to two terms of office now is underway, which would make Mr Thaksin technically ineligible to lead the country again.

Some 6,000 Thaksin partisans from the rural northeast rode trucks and tractors to the outskirts of the capital to stage a pro-government demonstration yesterday.

But to avoid crossing anti-Thaksin mobs and the barefoot Dharma Army activists camped outside Bangkok's Government House, the hill farmers did not cross the city limits.

Meanwhile, Thailand's election commissioner announced that the controversial snap polls, which three major opposition parties pledged to boycott, are likely to be postponed.

There are concerns that the 2 April election may violate the constitution because voters are unlikely to select the full house of 500 parliamentary members required to name a new premier.

The main stumbling block is a quota of 100 "party list" parliamentary candidates.

Even in an uncontested seat, a candidate must win by 20 per cent of the eligible vote.

Few of the inconsequential parties running are likely to get that.

In an explicit appeal from the palace, the adviser to Thailand's venerated King Bhumibol Adulyadej called for a resolution to the political impasse.

"All those involved in the situation are grown-ups and knowledgeable and have good intentions for the country.

"Therefore, I would like to appeal to all parties involved to think and act for the best for our country and our people," Prem Tinsulanonda said yesterday.

The last royal intervention in politics was 14 years ago.

- INDEPENDENT