Caretaker Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra yesterday urged all parties to give moral support to Democrat leader Abhisit Vejjajiva in his efforts to break the political deadlock.
She said the public should spare Mr Abhisit scepticism over his sincerity and give the Democrat leader the encouragement he needs to help him in his efforts.
Ms Yingluck said if things turn out the way Mr Abhisit hopes they will, it will be good for the country. The government is open to any initiatives that will provide a solution to the political crisis, she said.
"I do want to give Khun Abhisit time to work on his proposal. Don't question if he is being sincere. If we welcome this kind of effort and create opportunities for talks, it may lead to a solution. We should give him moral support and help push the country out of crisis," she said.
Ms Yingluck's comments came as the Democrat leader continues with his campaign to convince all stakeholders to redefine the debate that an election should be a component of political reform.
Mr Abhisit's campaign introduced last week apparently caught some critics off-guard as the issue of elections and reforms is politically divisive.
Ms Yingluck urged political and civic sectors to unite and work out a solution.
The prime minister said it would also be beneficial if Mr Abhisit sat down for talks with the anti-government People's Democratic Reform Committee secretary-general Suthep Thaugsuban and built a consensus.
"I really want to give Mr Abhisit time to work on this and he is an appropriate choice to hold talks with Mr Suthep," she said.
She said the government is ready to hold talks with Mr Abhisit, but he has yet to approach the government.
On the Rattha Bukkhon group's proposal that His Majesty the King's intervention should be sought, the prime minister strongly urged caution, saying any issues concerning the monarchy are sensitive and should be approached with care.
"His Majesty the King and the institution of the monarchy are above politics. We all have a duty and responsibility to solve the problems and we must be careful not to disturb the monarchy," she said.
In pursuing his efforts, Mr Abhisit met for two hours yesterday with Supreme Commander Gen Tanasak Patimapragorn to ask for support and discuss the political situation.
He said he and the Supreme Commander agreed with each other on several points regarding the political conflict. The situation was fragile and highly divisive and it was open to question where the conflict might lead.
According to Mr Abhisit, the Supreme Commander expressed support for his move and wished to see all parties work towards resolving the conflict.
He said he was satisfied with the meeting and believed his efforts would bear fruit in two weeks.
If there is no sign of success within the time frame, it is doomed, he said, noting that if his approach fails, society would have to continue searching for a solution.
Mr Abhisit is scheduled to meet the Election Commission today and is arranging to meet Chartpattana chief adviser Banharn Silpa-archa.
Following the meeting, the Royal Thai Armed Forces Command issued a statement saying the Supreme Commander agreed with Mr Abhisit's bid to talk with key players and propose his model and urged the conflict be resolved through political means.
Meanwhile, the Pheu Thai Party yesterday voiced disagreement with justice permanent secretary Kittipong Kittiyarak's call for politicians to make sacrifices by not contesting the next poll.
Pheu Thai member Somchai Wongsawat said while the proposal is part of attempts to get the country out of its political crisis, it is not right to restrict the rights of politicians.
"We can't forbid politicians from contesting an election. The people have the right to choose and political parties have the responsibility to field candidates. I think other political parties will agree with us," he said.
Mr Kittipong said yesterday his proposal was limited to only those who were directly involved in the present political conflict and not all politicians.
Democrat deputy leader Nipit Intarasombat yesterday voiced support for Mr Abhisit's efforts to break the political deadlock.
He said the Democrat leader's approach is in line with the party's ideology and that righteousness, not winning, remains the party's top priority.