More than 100 BMTA-concession buses stage a ‘park-in’ at the Royal Plaza yesterday. Private operators are demanding another fare hike to help them shoulder rising fuel costs.

Government Spokesman Surapong Suebwonglee yesterday said caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra's promise that he would not seek another term as prime minister, made two days after the April 2 election, had been fulfilled and had no bearing on the premier's political future.

Surapong was responding to a survey by Dusit Poll in which most respondents wanted Thaksin to take a "political break" and not accept the post of prime minister as he promised on April 4, two days after the election.

"We accept the poll result but the survey was conducted among people who live in Bangkok and neighbouring provinces. We are confident that if the poll had been conducted across the country, the result would have been different,'' he said.

Surapong's comment came amid speculation that Thaksin may not become prime minister again. On Sunday, Thaksin said he had already made up his mind about his political future.

Surapong insisted that Thaksin would run in the upcoming election as the number one Thai Rak Thai party-list candidate.

"If you remember, on April 4, the prime minister said he would not accept the premier's post if the House called a meeting to select the prime minister following the April 2 election. Since the House meeting could not be called, his comments no longer apply,'' Surapong said.

Thaksin made the surprise announcement after tension spread across the country following the outcome of the April 2 election, which saw an unprecedented number of voters spoil their ballots or tick "no vote". Thaksin said he made the decision so the country could celebrate the 60th anniversary of His Majesty the King's accession to the throne without distractions.

On April 5 Thaksin appointed Chidchai Vanasatidya as caretaker prime minister and took a controversial six-week leave with pay.

Surapong said Thaksin could not say whether he would seek another term after the October 15 election. If Thai Rak Thai does not win the most seats, it would be impossible for Thaksin to become prime minister. If Thai Rak Thai wins a majority of votes, its MPs will naturally propose the party leader as premier. "When that time comes, the leader will decide again,'' he said.

Thai Rak Thai executive board member Suranand Vejjajiva said he had no knowledge of reports that Thaksin had lobbied other parties not to contest the October election in certain constituencies, using as a bargaining chip his pledge not to seek another term as premier until the Constitution has been amended.

Asked if it would make it easier for the party to campaign if Thaksin announced that he would seek another term as premier, Suranand said Thaksin has the right to make this decision. "We should not say. We must give him respect.''

Asked who the party would propose as premier, should it win the election, Suranand said the party's executive board had yet to decide.

Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva refused to be drawn on whether Thaksin should seek another term.

"Thaksin is entitled to make the decision. It's not my business to say anything,'' he said.