Caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra and Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva have opposite views on the effect a royally appointed prime minister and Cabinet would have - the former says the move would suspend democracy, while the latter believes it would end the current social divisions.

 "I don't believe the idea [for royal intervention] comes from the old party, which is named the Democrats and means 'democracy'," Thaksin said. "Their position looks similar to the PAD's [People's Alliance for Democracy] and is almost the same," Thaksin said.

 Everyone should just let democracy take its course and not try to stop it, he said.

 Abhisit, however, accused Thaksin of using democracy to buy time.

"If Thaksin is thinking only of ways to make the April 2 election take place, he's just buying time," he said. The delay tactics are wounding and deepening social rifts, he said, adding that healing society would become a much more painful process.

 "Our proposal is not to ban Thaksin from Thai politics, but for him to take a break so he can defend himself against [his critics'] allegations," Abhisit said.

 "In the future when Thaksin returns to politics and wins an election, people will not doubt whether he really won," the Democrats' leader said.

 On Friday night, Abhisit called on Thaksin to resign and ask His Majesty the King to appoint a new prime minister and Cabinet in order to end the political crisis.

 Abhisit declared his party's position and proposed ways out of the crisis before a crowd of more than 50,000 supporters at Sanam Luang as the Democrats staged their "Stop the Thaksin Regime" rally.

The Democrat's call for royal intervention followed similar calls from academics, activists and prominent figures who see the move as a way to peacefully break the political deadlock that has been hanging over the country.

Abhisit said many people were concerned that so-far peaceful rallies might turn violent. The longer the conflict lasts the more widespread its impact would be, he said.

Media tycoon Sondhi Limthongkul started the anti-Thaksin movement late last year, but the sale of Shin Corp - the telecom conglomerate Thaksin founded - to Temasek Holdings of Singapore jolted the country in January. Thaksin's mentor Chamlong Srimuang and other groups joined Sondhi and formed the PAD, which has besieged Government House since March 14.

Thaksin supporters, under the name the Caravan of the Poor, have been rallying at Chatuchak Park since March 17.

Abhisit said a royally appointed Cabinet could urge the Election Commission to postpone the April 2 general election because the situation has become extreme.

Thaksin, however, has expressed confidence that the election - which is being boycotted by the major opposition parties - will occur. Advance voting for the poll began yesterday.

"It's a good sign that advance voting this weekend shows voters are enthusiastic about the election," Thaksin said.

Thai Rak Thai Party deputy spokesman Jatuporn Promphan asked whether Abhisit wanted to be the royally appointed prime minister.

"If Abhisit wants to be the appointed prime minister, he should resign as Democrat leader first and then wait for the invitation," Jatuporn said.