The Democrat Party is endorsing Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva's road map for reconciliation, provided the red shirts disperse, party spokesman Buranaj Smutharaks said yesterday.
"The Democrat MPs are giving Abhisit the option of not calling the snap elections if the red shirts refuse to end their protests," he said.
A source, who asked not to be named, said Abhisit had said at the party meeting that he was receiving complaints about the road map on his mobile phone and that he was calling people back to explain that he was not complying with all the red-shirts' demands. The PM has also been insisting that he will stick with the rule of law and not provide amnesty for any criminal cases.
"If the red shirts continue rallying and refuse to accept the offer, I will not care because I have already made my offer. If they refuse to go through the reconciliation process, then I will continue administrating the country without dissolving the House," the source quoted Abhisit as saying.
Buranaj said the PM had told his fellow Democrats that the road map was a necessary option to avert violence, which would only deepen the social divisions.
Meanwhile, Democrat chief adviser Chuan Leekpai said that though he disagreed with the dissolution of the House, he had faith in Abhisit's decision. However, he said, the Democrats should clarify the road map to the public.
The prime minister has also said that legal proceedings on cases related to terrorism, criminal violations and anti-monarchist moves would be carried out to the fullest extent of the law, Buranaj added.
Democrat adviser Banyat Bantadtan has urged the Democrats to focus on their campaigning activities in the Northeast, seen as the opposition's stronghold, in order to test the resumption of normalcy.
In answer to questions about the youths attending a Democrat Party internship programme, Abhisit admitted that though his life was in peril nowadays, he had to accept it and be careful. However, he said, he would stay to pull Thai politics out of this crisis, or the politicians and the populace would be in danger.
"As for whether I believe I am successful, I think I need another 20 to 30 years before I can tell. I will not live with politics until the end of my days. I am 46 now, and I might begin to think of another career in my early 50s," he said.