¡¡¡¡Special Report: Crisis in Thailand

    BANGKOK, March 27 (Xinhua) -- Thailand's caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra on Sunday offered to form a government of national unity that will include all his opponents, which seems a unity solution for the political crisis Thailand are now facing.

    The prime minister, who has been embattled by a series of demonstrations for about two months, Sunday proposed the establishment of a "national government" after next Sunday's election and offered to reserve some Cabinet seats for the opposition, which is boycotting the poll.

    The surprise offer came in the middle of a belligerent election rally speech at King Taksin Monument in Thon Buri, where he vowed to fight to the death for democracy. "Thai Rak Thai (TRT) is ready to form a national government to solve the current problems and end all the trouble and conflicts," he told a cheering crowd.

    "All political parties, including the former three opposition parties -- the Democrat, the Chart Thai and the Mahachon Parties --as well as representatives of the PAD will be invited to join the National Government to help brainstorm ideas to resolve national problems," he proposed.

    "You people can also fix the country's divisions by voting in the elections, because it is an easy way to make the protesters end their protest," he told an estimated 20,000 supporters. Nearly half his audience were motorcycle and taxi drivers.

    During last two months, Thaksin was attacked by his opponents. Day-by-day anti-Thaksin rallies were held at several political sensitive sites which includes the Government House and the Democratic Monument, demanding the premier to step down from his position and permanently keep away from the political stage.

    Local analysts say the new move taken by Thaksin on Sunday maybe a way out for the political turmoil. But the idea was, however, shunned by the opponents hours after released. His leading opponent's immediate reaction was to question Mr Thaksin's sanity.

    Somsak Kosaisuk, a People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) core member, told journalists Sunday night that the coalition's only aim is Thaksin's resignation, but not participation in the so-called National Government.

    Suthep Thuegsuban, the Democrat Party's secretary general, said Monday morning that he believed the idea is only another political game of the "Thaksin Rule".

    The three former opposition parties also held a meeting here Monday morning to assess the current situation. The latest report said that the Democrat leader Abhisit Vejjajiva has already rejected Thaksin's offer.

    Anyway, tens of thousands of Bangkokians went to vote ahead of next Sunday's election. But uncertainty is the order of the day as Bangkokians believe that politics have entered crisis point. According to the latest survey of public opinion in the capital, the public appears largely indifferent to participation in the April 2 general election, believing it provides no solution, and that the worse will follow.

    Two-thirds of the respondents polled Friday and Saturday feared that the post-election atmosphere will be the same as the past week, or worse, while only one in three Bangkokians are hopeful that tensions will ease after the general election.

    About 38 percent said the election will not resolve the standoff and the atmosphere will stay the same, while 28 percent believe the political situation will further deteriorate.

    But optimistic analysts believe the voters will not forget the voting action of Thailand's statesman and President of the Privy Council Gen. Prem Tinsulanond. Last Saturday, the first-advisor of the King and other leading dignitaries and public figures turned out to cast their ballots in advance of next Sunday's snap election, which wide-reportedly shows the royal attitude. Enditem