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A healthy 87 per cent said appointing ministers on merit would shore up confidence and pave the way for overcoming political turmoil.

The Abac Poll Research Centre survey approached 2,716 living in the capital.

Almost 63 per cent said it was stressed by the political situation and about the same figure supported direct participation by the people, as suggested by "new politics".

Slightly more than 63 per cent was suspicious that Somchai would play favourites and serve his family's interest before those of the country.

Some 53 per cent remained interested in a government of national unity.

An overwhelming majority of 95 per cent said it wanted fellow citizens to treat one another with care and solidarity.

The Democrat Party urged PM Somchai to follow five guidelines when naming a Cabinet.

Key ministries like finance, commerce and foreign should be allocated competent ministers, and not be sacrificed to political expediency.

Existing caretaker ministers tainted by scandal and litigation should not be reappointed.

Relatives of those banned from the electoral process should not accept portfolios. This will safeguard the government's reputation, the Democrats said.

Big donors of the ruling party should not be rewarded with seats, it added.

Lastly, those linked to the anti-coup movement and "prone to violence" should not be appointed.

"In forming his Cabinet, the prime minister should send out positive signals of commitment to restore trust so as to allow the country and its economy to advance," Democrat spokesman Buranat Samutharak said.

Buranat said the Democrats were disappointed Somchai failed to defend the judiciary after negative remarks made by his brother-in-law and ousted PM Thaksin Shinawatra.

He reminded the government that should it insist on amending the Constitution - in order to escape party dissolution or assist Thaksin in his graft prosecutions - there would never be national reconciliation.

He blamed banned Thai Rak Thai executive Sudarat Keyuraphan for "smearing" the Democrats.

He said her allegations linking the party to the People's Alliance for Democracy were groundless. The opposition is not involved in street protests, he added.

Sudarat was slinging mud at the Democrats. This is a distraction from allegations ministers instigated the deadly clash between the opposing crowds on September 1, he said.