Speaking at a seminar held by Krungthep Turakij yesterday, Thanavath Phonvichai, director of the Centre for Economic and Business Forecasting at the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce, said Thaksin will eventually resign and the Constitution will be revised. He said this could happen before or after the general election on April 2 and would meet the "optimal strategies" of both parties.

However, he said it is still unclear whether Thaksin will resign immediately after the election. If he stays on as leader after the poll, at which the Thai Rak Thai Party is expected to win a majority of votes, then the new government would be unstable, as several questions would remain unanswered.

"Thai politics [after the election] would not have stability as pressure on Khun Thaksin would linger. The public would feel most of the impact and the situation won't be resolved soon," he said.

"I don't think the alliance will back off because they want Khun Thaksin out, while the opposition parties want the Constitution revised. We now have to wait for the premier's move," he said.

Wasun Potipimpanon, owner of Thonglor Group Co Ltd, a distributor of Mercedes Benz cars, said he believes the prime minister will resign but the anti-Thaksin alliance should give him time to resign after the election. He denied when asked that he is an adviser to the Thaksin administration.

"I think the premier is seeking a way out. Let's give him time to step down. Don't kick him out. Why don't we wait another couple of weeks as he won't resign before the general election as that would make him appear as if he had lost," Wasun said.

Prasarn Maruekapitak, head of the Business Democracy Club, said the only solution to the current political tension was for Thaksin to resign. However, he believes Thaksin will delay his resignation until after the election in a bid to "win this political game".

"The sooner he resigns the better it will be for the economy," he said.

He said his club would today visit the Federation of Thailand Industries, Board of Trade of Thailand and Thai Bankers Association to convince them to take a stance on the current political turmoil.

Prasarn said the anti-Thaksin protests have opened a new era in Thai democratic development based on ethical issues.

Montree Sornpaisarn, CEO of Kim Eng Securities (Thailand), said most businessmen want to settle the political tension as soon as possible.

"Businessmen want politics to settle down and also want good leadership. But there are questions that have not been answered and should be answered. I think society is open enough to listen," Montree said.

Nipon Surapongrukchareon, vice chairman of the Federation of Thailand Industries, said he had no idea when the current political tension would end. However, not only the Constitution needs to be revised but also society has to be strengthened, he said.

"If the premier resigns after the general election then that would be good. But there should be a place for him to go. If we take his assets or oust him then the political tension would not end," he said.

Jiwamol Kanoksilp,

Oranan Paweewun

The Nation