Party leader Thaksin Shinawatra, who is to preside over the event starting this afternoon at the ruling camp's Bangkok headquarters, declined to discuss the agenda in detail.

However, according to Thai Rak Thai executive Suranand Vejjajiva, the seminar is aimed at finding a joint proposal to solve the enduring political crisis. He said that although nothing could ensure the election would be held on October 15, the government still wished it to go ahead as planned.

Suranand, also the caretaker PM's Office minister, said a number of foreign businesspeople, investors and journalists he had met agreed that the general election should be held as soon as possible.

Today's seminar is entitled "Constructive, Reconciling, Adhering to Democracy".

Deputy party leaders Bhokin Bhalakula and Pongthep Thepkanchana are scheduled to give a lecture about election law, a Thai Rak Thai source said yesterday.

Deputy leader Sudarat Keyuraphan and deputy secretary-general Prommin Lertsuridej will give lectures on political activities in the run-up to general elections.

After the seminar, the participants will have a dinner with the theme "Uniting Hearts into One", according to the source.