Govt upbeat to convince opponents of the reform process

"Given time, opponents of reform will see the reason and agree to join the reform process," he said.

Satit was reacting to news reports that the opposition Pheu Thai Party and the red-shirt crowd refused to get involved with the Political Reform Committee chaired by Suchit Boonbongkarn and supervised by the King Prachadhipok's Institute.

He said the institute has forwarded the framework for reform for the government's acknowledgement.

He also denied speculation that the reform might lead to the pardon for fugitive ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra.

Thaksin has circulated the idea of legislatiing the reconciliation law which is the basis for granting pardon for those involved in the political turmoil but this is not linked to the political reform, he said.

He added the government has no agenda about the amnesty issue at this juncture.