The Senate foreign affairs committee held a meeting with 28 Bangkok-based envoys to explain the political situation, in which Thaksin is facing mounting pressure from various groups to step down but he has refused to resign.

Susan Sutton, the political counsellor at the US Embassy, said it was difficult for diplomats to express an opinion on the situation.

She, however, asked the meeting, chaired by Senator Kraisak Choonhavan, whether it was a step backward for many people to ask His Majes-ty the King to enforce Article 7 of the Constitution and eject a duly elected prime minister.

Senator Nirun Phitakwatchara from Ubon Ratchathani, who earlier joined nearly 100 academics and royal kin in lodging a petition with His Majesty for a royally sponsored premier, said the petition could not be deemed as deserting demo-cracy as it is still constitutional.

The article could be implemented only after the prime minister resigns and no other way is provided to install a successor, he said.

"In fact, Article 7 is a key to open the gate for political reform as we have neither a Cabinet nor MPs to amend the Constitution in accordance with Article 313," Nirun told the diplomats.

The Kingdom needs to pursue political reform and amend the charter without Thaksin as he has already exploited the Constitution for his own benefit, he said.

Article 7 says that whenever no provision under the Constitution is applicable to any case, it shall be decided in accordance with the constitutional practice in the democratic regime of government with the King as Head of State.

HM the King has exercised his prerogative to intervene in politics to appoint new prime ministers twice in history, after the bloody uprisings in 1973 and 1992.

Former diplomat Kasit Piromya, adviser to the Senate committee, said Article 7 provided a flexible and brilliant answer when the Kingdom is in a state of crisis.

Anders Andersen of the German Embassy asked why people in conflict did not sit down together and talk to find a solution.

Kiat Sithi-amorn, from the Democrat Party, said it was too late to call for negotiations as Thaksin has already thrown the chance away.

"We offered a good opportunity [for discussions] on February 27, the last day we could decide whether to field candidates. Now it's too late," he said.

The Democrat, Chat Thai and Mahachon parties decided to boycott the April 2 snap general election after a proposal to have Thaksin join a pact for political reform following the poll was snubbed.

The poll boycott has put more pressure on Thaksin after he faced a series of mass protests organised by the People's Alliance for Democracy, which gave him an ultimatum to get out. Another huge rally has been called for Monday and Tuesday.

A Western diplomat asked the meeting, with many Democrat members in attendance, how the political deadlock could end.

Democrat leader Abhisit Vejjajiva said it was up to Thaksin to make the decision as the ball is now in his court. If he steps down, the crisis is over but if he insists on staying, he will face further challenges and more pressure after the poll.

Kraisak told the foreign officials that Thaksin had run out of legitimacy to run the country as he has made so many mistakes, including abuse of power, corruption and violation of human rights.

"The situation is now critical and is tending towards violence, so we want the international community to be aware of that," he said.

Supalak Ganjanakhundee

The Nation