Thaksin launched his lawsuits just hours after calling for political reconciliation based on His Majesty the King's speech calling for unity.

In the criminal case, Thaksin named the rival party and its campaign spokesman Thepthai Senpong as key defendants.

He also singled out three editors, Suwapong Janfangphet of Matichon, Thakoon Boonpan of Khao Sod and Pracha Hetrakul of Daily News, as accomplices for publishing allegedly libellous comments.

In the plaintiff writ, Thepthai was accused of acting on his party's behalf to accuse Thaksin of clinging to power.

Based on reports published in the three newspapers, the writ said Thepthai compared Thaksin to a wandering spirit trying to get back into a body.

It also says Thaksin was portrayed as "Phi Pop", a ghost that feasts on intestines, allegedly in an effort to tarnish his reputation by implying that he was plundering the country.

In the civil case, Thaksin added three newspapers to the list of five defendants named in the criminal proceedings. This was seen as a legal tactic to hold the newspaper management responsible and possibly liable to pay damages.

The Criminal Court has scheduled a hearing for October 30 to decide whether the case merits judicial review. The civil litigation will hinge on the outcome of the criminal proceedings.

On the same day, The government has urged all relevant parties to stop bickering and join hands to map out a solution to the political crisis, saying all sides are obliged to heed His Majesty the King's call for unity.

"If the relevant parties refrain from trying to defeat one another and abide by the rules and precedents, then the political crisis can be overcome," caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra said yesterday.

Thaksin and ranking government politicians suggested taking the opportunity of the national celebrations for His Majesty's 60 years on the throne to forge political reconciliation.

"Politicians of all stripes should follow the royal advice given in the past few days of celebrations, and sacrifice their vested interests to honour the King," caretaker PM's Office Minister Suranand Vejjajiva said, echoing Thaksin's words.

Suranand said he expected politicians to work towards reconciliation once the weeklong celebrations were over. He also suggested that the relevant parties talk to each other rather than organising street protests.