Special report: Situation in Thailand

Special report: Crisis in Thailand

Special report: Snap general election in Thailand

Special report: Thai deputy PM appointed caretaker PM

Thaksin Shinawatra speaks during a meeting at the Government House in Bangkok August 24, 2006. (Xinhua Photo/Reuters)

    BANGKOK, Sept. 15 (Xinhua) -- Thai caretaker prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra said Friday that he may take a break from politics, the first time the premier sent a relatively clear sign over his political future amid heated speculations about his successor.

    Speaking on his flight from London to Cuba for the Non-Aligned Movement meeting, Thaksin said he would make clear his decision before candidate registration date, Bangkok-based newspaper The Nation reported on its website Friday.

    "I may take a political break," Thaksin said, adding that he will give clear answer on the matter before the election's registration date," Thaksin said.

    "The society and press in Thailand are easily to get bored. I give you an example. When General Prem Tinsulanond was the prime minister, the media praised him as a capable and good figure. But after eight years, all the newspapers criticized his performance," he said.

    But he declined to reveal who would replace him for now. "No matter what rumors said about who would replace me, it is only me who know," he said.

    Opposition protests continued in Bangkok while Thaksin were out of the country for the last few days. The media talked about possibility of a military coup to force Thaksin out and of a successor having been picked to replace Thaksin as next premier candidate.

    However, Thaksin had declined to make clear whether he would contest the election or retreat after his Thai Rak Thai party won the election, having a deputy to take the premier post. Enditem