Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva on Thursday announced a bid to find a solution to the political unrest that has plagued the country for about six months, and said he will take a leading role.
Mr Abhisit, known as "Mark", used YouTube to launch the Democrat Party's move, which will emphasise reforms and elections.
"I believe that the only way forward for the country is reforms, undertaken constitutionally and democratically with elections an integral part of the process," he said on the social media posting, with a statement released hours later.
The former prime minister plans to start the effort with a meeting with permanent secretary for justice Kittipong Kittiyarak, a strong advocate of reform. This would be followed by a meeting with Supreme Commander Gen Thanasak Patimaprakorn on Monday. Others on his list include the Election Commission, the caretaker government, political parties and anti-government groups.
He admitted there were potential stumbling blocks ahead, including possible problems with the Democrats, but pleaded for a chance to try for a solution.
Mr Abhisit said the high cost of living, failure to pay farmers in the rice-pledging scheme and corruption were bringing the country down, but did not attempt to allocate blame.
"Now is not the time to play the blame game, because everyone is accountable for the situation our country is facing now, including the Democrat Party and myself," he said.
The Democrats have been criticised by the Pheu Thai Party for their reluctance to support a new general election. The party has made clear it wants to see reforms before a new election is held. It boycotted the Feb 2 polls, which were later declared invalid by the Constitutional Court because voting was incomplete.
Several key members of the People's Democratic Reform Committee are former Democrat Party members and MPs, including PDRC leader Suthep Thaugsuban.
The date for new polls has not been scheduled, but the Election Commission has supported Pheu Thai's proposal to hold it on July 20.
Caretaker Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra on Thursday refused to comment on Mr Abhisit's announcement. Instead she urged state officials and the armed forces to stay neutral in the political conflict.
Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva pledges to move to find a solution to the political stalemate.