"Royal Family members have expressed their concern over the current political situation," said MR Yongyuphalak Kasemsan, a political scientist formerly of Chulalong-korn University.

"A number of us agree that the only way out [of the current stalemate] is to ask His Majesty to appoint a prime minister," Yongyu-phalak said.

He said the recommendation would result in the appointment of an acting Cabinet to amend the Constitution and administer the country during a political transition period.

Other royal family members supporting the petition include MR Wiriyapha Kitiyakara (Chang-rean), MR Naruemon Kasemsan, MR Suwanan Walayasewi, MR Wutthisak Swasdiwat, MR Suta-nont Sintawanont, MR Ram-piampha Kasemsri, MR Saisigha Siributr and MR Saisawashi Thompson.

Thirapat Serirangsan, president of the Political Science Association, and other respected figures went to His Majesty's Principal Private Sec-retary's Office at the Royal Palace yesterday to submit a petition endorsed by 98 signatories in support of a Royal-sponsored prime minister.

The signatories include Chai-anan Samudvanij, a member of the Royal Academy; Prof Rapee Sakrik, a former rector of Kasetsat Univer-sity; Auditor General Jaruvan Main-taka; Senators Chirmsak Pinthong and Kraisak Chonhavan; Thanpu-ying Preeya Kasemsan na Ayutthaya, a former member of the National Counter Corruption Commission (NCCC); former NCCC secretary-general Klanarong Chantik; Asda Jayanama, a former ambassador to the UN; and Kasit Pirom, a former ambassador to the US.

Observers said the petitions

by royal family members and

prominent public figures demonstrated that Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra had lost support with Thailand's elite.

Many analysts believe the current crisis has reached a dead end, and that only through a royal-sponsored prime minister would the intractable crisis be resolved by peaceful means.

Earlier, Sondhi Limthongkul, one of the leaders of the anti-government coalition, lodged a similar petition with the King asking for Royal intervention to bring the political crisis to an end.

On Friday, Surapol Nitikrapoj, rector of Thammasat University, issued an open letter urging Thaksin to step down, paving the way for a royally appointed government.

Thaksin, beleaguered on several fronts, is fighting desperately for political survival.

He has been mounting a defensive strategy to remain in power after bitter attacks questioning his probity and legitimacy to run the country because of his family's tax-free sale of Shin Corp to Temasek Holdings of Singapore.

Last Friday, Thaksin led a rally at Sanam Luang attended by hundreds of thousands of people, mostly from the upcountry, to challenge his critics.

Thirapat said Thaksin's decision to dissolve the House had been an illegitimate act that only added to the ongoing crisis. As a result, the anti-Thaksin movement had seen a dramatic increase to its numbers, he said.

Yet rather than step down peacefully, Thaksin has decided to fight back by mobilising hundreds of thousands of his supporters, Thirapat said.

He said with all three main opposition parties boycotting the election, it would lack legitimacy. It was possible Thai Rak Thai would win all 500 House seats, which would only lead to another political crisis Thirapat said.

Mongkol na Songkhla, a former Public Health permanent secretary, said although the petition to His Majesty did not spell out the request that Thaksin resign, the underlying message could not be clearer.

The group's goal was to stop the deepening political divide in society, he said.