PNET had invited the Thai Rak Thai Party, the Democrat Party and the PAD to a public debate on Friday at Thammasat University, said Somchai Srisuthiyalorn, the PNET coordinator.

Spokesman Surapong Suebwonglee said the government is ready to meet everyone for talks under two conditions. First, a "middleman" must be invited to participate in or record the debate. Second, the debate should not be limited to just one day because nothing of substance could be concluded in such an event, he said.

Furthermore, Surapong said, "If all parties can agree to a televised debate then we want the anti-Thaksin rally to stop afterwards."

He said that if the government proceeded with the election, while the opposition continued to boycott and the PAD continued its rally, the debate would be of no benefit. If the debate can't resolve the political crisis, he said, then the government might not participate.

Democrat Party executive board member Sathit Wongnongtoei and PAD coordinator Suriyasai Katasila both rejected the government spokesman's suggestions.

Sathit said that if all sides are going to have a public debate the government should not set conditions. If it does, the opposition would not participate, he said.

Suriyasai said that if the Thai Rak Thai Party didn't review its conditions his group couldn't negotiate, and would continue the rally.

PNET's Somchai said he would invite the three sides to meet again tomorrow, to try to set a framework for the debate on Friday.