If he heeded the advice from Dr Prawase, who supported Thaksin at the beginning of his premiership, he would be considered a man who had made sacrifices for the country. If not, Prawase warned, it might be time to "sacrifice Thaksin".

Prawase made his comments as political tensions have heightened over a report that Thaksin had been the target of an assassination plot. He said if the plot was real, it meant there were many people out there who really hated the prime minister.

"No previous prime minister has received this kind of hatred and to this high degree," he said. Prawase said Thaksin was arrogant, held other people in contempt and challenged those who disagreed with him, instead of trying to make others love him.

The polarisation of Thailand at this juncture might lead to further violence and bloodshed, for there would be more assassination attempts or self-defence or counter-attacks until there was no time for the country to move ahead.

Prawase suggested all parties should adhere to a peaceful solution. Second, Thaksin must stop creating hatred. Third, Thaksin must try to prevent others from suffering.

"If the government wants to create a smokescreen over some matters and society learns about it, then its credibility will erode. The government will become like a boy who cries wolf. Nobody will trust it any more."

If the government decides to resort to seizing power to avoid court verdicts, then the public will come out to fight against it as in the past - when they took to the streets to fight against dictators.

"If he makes a comeback amid conflict, hatred and lack of credibility, how can he run the country?"