The speech would have scheduled to have addressed the new economic environment in Thailand. "It's all right, I will speak on this issue after the election," the caretaker premier said.

He said he would give speeches on television to explain the situation.

"Today we have explained [the political situation] as much as we can, and if we can avoid an encounter we will do so," he said.

Thaksin said people were seeking to calm the current political crisis and he was ready to offer a deal to the opposition to defuse the situation.

"I'm open to everybody. I am happy to listen to anyone who can make a good proposal," he said.

Thai Rak Thai Party executive Suranand Vejjajiva said the party cancelled Thaksin's speech because it wanted to avoid an anti-Thaksin rally like the one that assembled at Siam Paragon yesterday.

Because the rallies are being held in the same vicinity as Lumpini Park, Suranand said Thai Rak Thai wanted to avoid baiting the opposition.

The Nation