Abhisit Vejjajiva on Tuesday tried to convince the Election Commission (EC) to delay plans for a new general election, arguing that a quick poll would only exacerbate the political turmoil, not end it.
Abhisit Vejjajiva, second right, leads a group of Democrat Party members to meet with election commissioners, led by commisson chairman Supachai Somcharoen, second left, at the EC offices on Tuesday. (Photo by Thiti Wannamontha)
''I am confident that most people prefer a later election if they have to pick between a quick election which sees the conflict continue and a late poll that can solve the problem,'' the Democrat Party leader said after a meeting with all five election commissioners.
The EC has plans to hold a new poll on July 20, but the date has not been settled as the caretaker government wants it to be a week earlier.
Mr Abhisit warned of exacerbating problems if the election is held when the conflict is still not resolved.
The Democrats boycotted the Feb 2 general election, which was later voided by Constitutional Court because voting was not completed nationwide on the same day.
EC secretary-general Puchong Nuttrawong said commission chairman Supachai Somcharoen tried to convince the Democrats to take part in the next election, but Mr Abhisit did not commit to the invitation.
Mr Abhisit is on a campaign to find a solution to the political conflict, but has been attacked by both the Pheu Thai Party and the anti-government People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC).
The Democrat leader his aides late in the day met Banharn Silpa-archa and some key members of the Chartthaipattana Party, carrying the same message -- that a quick poll would only aggravate the conflict.
''We offer, ourselves, a solution for the country,'' he said.
The Chartthaipattana de facto leader said the party was encouraged by Mr Abhisit's mission.
Mr Abhisit has not publicly revealed his proposed formula for peace since launching his effort to end the turmoil last week, preferring to speak privately with the people he is approaching. He has said only that he is proposing elections and accompanying reforms.
He is expected to meet with caretaker Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra on Wednesday.
Pheu Thai deputy spokesman Anusorn Iamsa-ard accused Mr Abhisit of just seeking public attention for his campaign. Other Pheu Thai senior members earlier accused him of only trying to salvage the PDRC's "losing battle".
However, the former prime minister and his campaign also received a cold reception from PDRC leader Suthep Thaugsuban, who attacked him for trying to rock the boat.
Sombat Thamrongthanyawong, former president of the National Institute of Development Administration and a PDRC key member, on Sunday deemed Mr Abhisit's plan to hold an election and undertake reform at the same time ''confusing''.
Mr Sombat said reform must come before an election.
Mr Abhisit repeated his plea on Tuesday that the PDRC leaders give him a chance to talk with them, instead of simply shutting the door when they have not even seen his proposal.
The goal of the campaign is to also support reform within the constitutional framework, he said. He has not yet explained how that would happen.