Abhisit suggested that Thaksin resign and ask HM the King to appoint a prime minister and ministers.

Abhisit said the royally appointed Cabinet could restore the spirit of the Constitution and allow Thaksin to address allegations that he had abused his power while in office.

The royally appointed Cabinet could also ensure the Election Commission managed a fair election.

If Thaksin is innocent of the allegations, he should not be afraid of the truth, Abhisit said.

He called for a clear agenda for the political reform to be set out in order to pave the way for public participation.

"We believe our proposals are fair to all parties to bring peace and build the future of the country," he said.

Abhisit also called on Thaksin to consider the Democrat's proposals.

The Democrat's call for royal intervention followed similar calls from academics, activists and prominent figures who see the move as a way to peacefully break the political deadlock that has been hanging over the country.

On the stage, Abhisit accused Thaksin of trying to exchange promises for votes while campaigning in the provinces.

"It was total blackmail," Abhisit said.

Meanwhile, Thaksin, at a rally in Udon Thani, asked the People's Alliance for Democracy to wait until after the April 2 election, saying HM the King would then appoint an elected prime minister. "Can you [the PAD] wait for a while?

"If I am elected with less than a half of the voter turnout, I won't be the prime minister.

"But if voters vote for me more than 50 per cent, the King will appoint me the prime minister.

"Why are you so hot-headed?" Thaksin asked. Thaksin also labelled the protesters gathered in front of Government House "a nightly liar mob".

"Its stage is called 'the liar pavilion.' They tell lies every day so I now signed complaints to police every day too," Thaksin said.

He appealed for all parties to make a compromise for HM the King on the 60th anniversary of his accession to the throne on June 9.