BANGKOK, March 10 (Xinhuanet) -- The anti-Thaksin People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) has agreed to hold talks with caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra in a joint forum scheduled for March 24, Thai News Agency reported Friday.

    Pipob Thongchai, a key PAD leader, said his group accepted the invitation to join the forum because they considered it as an effective way for the public to know the arguments and evidence of both sides.

    The People's Network for Elections (P-Net), the independent election watchdog, has invited Thaksin and Thai Rak Thai (TRT) Party secretary-general Suriya Jungrungreangkit and deputy TRT leader Khunying Sudarat Keyuraphan to attend a planned three-hour debate on the ongoing political crisis, which has driven the country towards a state of chaos.

    The critical trio are Maj-Gen. Chamlong Srimuang, Sondhi Limthongkul and Pipob Thongchai, who is currently leading the PAD in massive calls to out the caretaker prime minister.

    "The setting of the forum is a good channel for communication as the public can make better judgments by listening and watching the debate on the participant speakers," he said, adding "he hoped the Premier would accept the invitation to join the forum."

    The PAD insisted on maintaining its stance that the prime minister lacks legitimacy to rule the country because his status as a businessman and a politician would cause conflict of interest and damage to the nation.

    The forum will be organized at Thammas at University in an attempt to seek a way out of the current political deadlock, according to the report. Enditem