Dissolving the House is not the answer to the political crisis because Thaksin Shinawatra can reassert his grip on power, critics said yesterday.

Senator Wallop Tangkananurak said Thaksin's decision to call a general election is not what was wanted because the people have problems with him, not the 500 members of Parliament. Questions about Thaksin's conflicts of interest and lapses of moral authority will not go away, he said.

"I'm disappointed at Thaksin's decision," Wallop said. "Thaksin should step down alone, why bring the 500 MPs down with him. He'll probably come back [after the next election] so the problems surrounding him won't be addressed."

Wallop said he anticipated the step would come from Thaksin this week because he could be kicked out of the country if violence marred tomorrow's planned mass rally planned against him. The man also has no courage to face scrutiny in Parliament during the debate set for next week.

Senator Seree Suwanpanont also believes Thaksin will come back for a third term after the April poll. But that won't ease political tensions because of the unresolved doubts about his leadership.

"Society wants Thaksin to resign, not dissolve Parliament. Unless Thaksin decides not to run for re-election, the problems will linger," Seree said.

Kiat Sittheeamorn, a Democrat Party deputy leader, said Thaksin's tactic could backfire.

"Civil groups already said they wanted Thaksin to quit, not to dissolve the House, because it doesn't answer any questions regarding the public's doubt over his legitimacy. I'm afraid that Thaksin's decision [yesterday] will only create bigger crowds at Sanam Luang [tomorrow]."

The Democrats will see how the public reacts tomorrow before deciding on the next move, he said.

Sanan Kachornprasart, a veteran politician and leader of the opposition Mahachon Party, said Thaksin misjudged the public.

"He made the wrong decision, because all the protesters are calling for his resignation to make way for real political reform," he said. "This kind of decision means Thaksin will only have a short time to live in Thailand."

Political scientist Sukhum Nualsakul said Thaksin had worked it out that if he stayed in power he would be severely damaged by further criticism.

He said he was not surprised Thaksin had dissolved parliament.

"Most prime ministers act like him. He may want to prove that in the next election people will choose him and his party," he said.

Thaksin might have made his decision because of tomorrow's rally to oust him, he added.

Prapart Pintobtang, a Chulalongkorn University political lecturer, said although people wanted Thaksin to leave the political scene instead of sacrificing the House, people power had won the day. It was a good beginning to political reform.

"Nobody believed Thaksin would listen to anyone outside of his 19 million Thai Rak Thai supporters," he said.

Chiang Mai University law lecturer Somchai Preechasilapakul said people should keep an eye on Thaksin's caretaker government in case it abuses state power and money to favour his party in the voting.

Anek Laothamatas, a former leader of the Mahachon Party, said he was let down by Thaksin because the people would be denied a general debate by the two chambers of Parliament.

"The decision benefits Thaksin and his party more than the people," he said. "I'm concerned that the protests against him will continue."

Supreme Commander General Ruangroj Mahasaranond agreed with Thaksin's decision because dissolution was a democratic means to refresh politics.

"Why should the premier resign because of pressure from a few people? This way [dissolution], power returns to the people to make a decision on whom they want to become their government."