"Everything will become clear before the new poll," he said, insisting he will keep the name of his successor a secret until the last minute of the campaign launch.

This is the first time Thaksin has made a public statement on whether he will take a political break before election day, tentatively pushed back to late November instead of October 15.

He gave the interview to Thai News Agency on board a flight from London to attend the Non Aligned Meeting in Havana.

On previous occasions, Thaksin had said he would make up his mind after the balloting outcome, and hinted he would contest the race and then decide whether to lead the next government.

In yesterday's aboutturn, Thaksin implied he might not seek reelection at all.

"I am thinking about what I should be doing next and whether I should still be working through the partisan process," he said.

He said he might take a break from politics because the public and the media are getting fed up with him.

"I look at General Prem Tinsulanonda in order to remind myself about political fickleness," he said.

"Today, media professionals are praising the president of the Privy Council as a role model, although every newspaper attacked him when he was the prime minister."

The caretaker prime minister voiced optimism that his Thai Rak Thai Party would still beat rival parties in spite of his plunging popularity.

"Mark my words. The people will continue to vote the way they want to and the Thai Rak Thai Party will definitely win regardless of attacks against me or the installation of the new Election Commission," he said.

He reminded the Democrat Party to concentrate on wooing votes instead of wasting time finding fault with him.

Commenting on potential candidates to succeed him, he said he would not unveil his successor too soon fearing character assassination.

Press reports have floated three names, Somkid Jatusripitak, Chidchai Vanasatidya and Surakiart Sathirathai, which were mere speculation, he said.

"I will not leak the name of my successor because it is unwise to speak hastily in Thai politics," he said.

The Nation