A close aide to caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra hinted yesterday that Somkid Jatusripitak could become the next premier if Thaksin decided not to accept the role after the next election.

"Somkid told me that he owed Thaksin a lot, so he is willing to work in any role that the prime minister orders him to," said Somchai Sunthornvut.

"Thaksin may step down and ask Somkid to replace him. It all depends on Thaksin's decision," he said. Somchai, who is also a caretaker deputy interior minister, said all factions in the Thai Rak Thai Party respected Somkid because he has worked alongside Thaksin as a key policy-maker for many years.

Thaksin has great trust in Somkid, he said.

In recent months Thaksin has been pressured by opponents to announce that he would not accept the premiership and turn his back on politics if Thai Rak Thai wins the upcoming general election.

Somchai said Thaksin would make a decision after the election.

Meanwhile, a deputy party leader yesterday urged Thaksin to break his silence over speculation that he might not accept the premiership if the party won the next election.

"Our party members and the general public really want to know if Thaksin will assume the prime ministership after the election," said Pongpol Adireksan, adding that Thaksin's decision would affect the party's election campaigns nationwide.

He said he believed voters would have second thoughts before casting ballots for the party as long as doubt over leadership remained.

Pongpol said he was concerned about the crisis that had engulfed the party.

The party's strength derives from four factors - the party leader, policies, MPs and members, he said.

If it still depended on one person, as it does currently, the party would fail to upgrade itself to become a political institution, he said.

Pongpol is chief of the party's committee that selects party-list candidates.

A source in the party said faction leaders agreed that Somkid was the best choice to replace Thaksin in case the premier decided to take a break.

If a faction leader stood out as the new premier, other factions would not accept it, the source said.

As Somkid is independent of any factions, he is the best option, the source said.