Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam yesterday called for an end to speculation about the political crisis, saying relevant parties should wait for the courts to sort it out.

"Relevant parties, including the government … and the Election Commission [EC], should not speculate because they could adversely influence any solution," he said.

Wissanu said the Cabinet had discussed the legality of the Royal Decree relating to the April 2 election and decided to wait for a court ruling, rather than getting involved in matters related to the judicial review.

He said the EC was the key defendant when it came to issues relating to the management of the ballot, dismissing speculation that government representatives might be summoned to testify in court in relation to the decree.

He said in his opinion, the decree was properly enacted, although the government was prepared to abide by the coming verdict.

Thai Rak Thai Party deputy leader Bhokin Bhalakula said the media should not rush to predict the verdict.

At this juncture, all sides will have to wait for a court ruling before deciding on their next move, he said.

Some MPs-elect may have speculated that the House should be convened, but it was the government that must decide whether to begin legislative work, he said.

Although the EC filled 485 of 500 House seats, its move was part of the electoral process and would have no bearing on the judicial review, he said.

He had no opinion about what outgoing Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra should do if the court ruled the election invalid.

Rumours have spread through the ruling party that Thaksin might return to politics and contest a third term should the April 2 election be cancelled.

Thaksin is on an extended vacation in Hong Kong and has maintained his silence about what he might do next.

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Start getting ready: Banharn

Chat Thai leader Banharn Silapa-archa has instructed his party to prepare for the next general election, which he expects will be called soon following a ruling by the country's three top courts on the legality of the April 2 election, deputy party leader Nikorn Chamnong said yesterday.

"Our party expects the general election will be called in the near future, because [the political process] is not complete,'' said Nikorn.

He said he had ordered a panel be appointed to prepare for the election campaign and develop political, economic and social policies.

The panel will set a campaign budget and report to Banharn tomorrow, Nikorn said.

The Nation