Less than 10 weeks before the October 15 election, Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva has called for a live television debate with caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

 Abhisit is looking for a shortcut that he expects would fast-forward his campaign against his fierce rival.

However, his challenge is unlikely to be accepted, as the prime minister is hardly likely to play ball. Thaksin knows if he controls most constituencies, he can brush off such tests and romp home regardless.

Abhisit challenged Thaksin on Saturday to a live television showdown, saying that voters would be able to focus on the differences between the two leading contenders for the premiership.

He sent out the message as the Democrats struggle to gain swing voters' support and convince TRT loyalists to swap sides.

One of the Democrats' recent attempts to bolster their standing has been to launch a series of television advertisements, which they hope will boost Abhisit's image, and "correct" long-held misconceptions.

A challenge from the Democrat camp, however, is not new to Thaksin and his Thai Rak Thai Party. Abhisit is repeating an appeal that the Democrats, Mahachon Party and anti-government groups failed to get a response to in the run-up to the 2005 election. At the time, Thaksin was pressured to join policy debates on television with other party leaders, but he turned down the challenge.

While his opponents wanted to grill him over the air for alleged corrupt practices and failure to deliver on government schemes, Thaksin knew he could do without putting himself at risk. He enjoyed overwhelming popularity in most constituencies - barring the Democrats' stronghold in the southern provinces - and was thus home and dry, instead of needing to still win over voters.

Thaksin went on provincial tours to the country's North, Northeast and Central regions to reinforce his position and made many more lavish promises to local communities.

The PM finally led TRT to sweep 309 of 400 constituencies - and eventually 370 of 500 MP seats, once party-list MPs were included - and formed the first single-party government in 73 years of Thailand's democracy.

The current situation is reminiscent of the early phase of 2005. Although many city residents have lost faith in Thaksin since anti-government sentiments became widespread late last year, the Democrats are far behind Thai Rak Thai in popularity. The country has not changed politically since the 2005 poll, despite the crisis that undermines Thaksin's position. He is still in the hearts of most people in the provinces, except in the South.

The Democrats can only be sure of winning in 54 southern constituencies and some seats in Bangkok - leaving about 300 between TRT and minor parties.

Given the circumstances, Abhisit found that the only way to swiftly seize the initiative from the PM is to grill him on television.

If Thaksin accepts the challenge, he will find himself facing allegations he denied during his five years in power.

Abhisit would attack him by raising controversial issues, from corruption to interference in independent agencies, and Thaksin's failure to deal with trouble in the country's far South.

Thaksin, however, has learnt that his tactic of sidestepping - rather than confronting - prickly rivals works quite well.

He is currently touring the Northeast to convince his supporters that he would surely return to power - and, of course, refusing to comment on Abhisit's challenge.

Abhisit can chase Thaksin for a debate until the election but he is unlikely to get it.

Weerayut Chokchaimadon

The Nation