Abhisit condemns red shirts for politicising monarchy

"The petition for a royal pardon should be initiated by Thaksin or his family because it is a show of remorse and not a political issue of numbers to affect a royal discretion," he said in reference to the campaign to solicit one million signatures.

He said he would instruct authorities to explain the pardon procedures to the public in order dispel the misunderstanding that the red shirts could sponsor the petition on Thaksin's behalf.

Meanwhile, Kaewsan Atibodhi, a former member of the Assets Examination Committee, and his brother, Kwansuang Atiodhi, held a press conference to call on the red-shirts to stop the signature gathering.

The two brothers said the signature gathering would bother the monarchy.

They said the pardon could not be granted because it would be unconstitutional.

"This is a political marketing strategy to gather signatures to pressure the institution," Kaewsan said.