Parliament president Chuan Leekpai says he will press ahead with plans for a reconciliation committee and gather opinions from former prime ministers including Gen Surayud Chulanont.
His remark came after a protest group under the banner of the People's Movement announced on Wednesday it would not participate in the process and reiterated their demands for the prime minister's resignation, charter rewrite, and reform of the royal institution.
Mr Chuan said the reconciliation panel had yet to be established and he was approaching respected figures for their views about how to resolve the political conflict and foster national unity.
Included in his list of those to approach were Gen Surayud, now the Privy Council president, as well as former parliament presidents.
Gen Surayud served as the 24th prime minister from Oct 1, 2006 to Jan 29, 2008 following the Sept 19, 2006 military coup led by former army chief Gen Sonthi Boonyaratglin. Mr Chuan had earlier approached three ex-premiers -- Anand Panyarachun, Gen Chavalit Yongchaiyudh and Abhisit Vejjajiva -- for their input.
"I plan to talk with everyone including the Privy Council president. I'll ask for his views in his capacity as a former prime minister and as a phuyai [senior and respected person]," he said.
Asked if this indicated that monarchy reform, which is one of three demands of anti-government protesters, would be raised by the proposed unity panel, Mr Chuan said: "No. This has nothing to do with the institution."
"There is no reason to discuss the [monarchy reform] issue," Mr Chuan said. He played down the anti-protesters' decision to not join the reconciliation process, saying it is parliament's responsibility to resolve the conflict and ensure stability.
"We can't solve it 100% but if we can reduce the conflict, it's still useful.
"It won't be easy to find people to sit on the committee. It doesn't mean those figures I've approached will be committee members. They agree with the proposal to find solutions and the details will be worked out later," he said.
Asked if the panel must include protesters' representatives, Mr Chuan said participation is voluntary.