BANGKOK: Thai Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva said the Constitutional Court verdict has not put an end to the country's political deadlock.
Speaking to Channel NewsAsia, Mr Abhisit said he continues to hope that the various political groups involved will reach a compromise between reform and new elections.
However, he added that his Democrat Party is still not ready to commit to running in fresh polls.
Mr Abhisit mentioned that he spent the last few weeks trying to find a middle ground solution that can move the country forward.
I wanted various parties to at least consider and accept that plan before the court decides, because I think that, now, is certainly the feeling that even after the court case, nothing is settled, and we're still in a deadlock, he said.
On whether Mr Abhisit will push his reform proposal to the Pheu Thai Party, he said: It's been made more difficult now because I anticipated that once there is a verdict, there'll be new causes for further conflict.
I had hoped that by coming to an agreement before the court decision, we would be able to avoid all this.
Mr Abhisit is not too concerned that his reform proposal plan is not being taken on board, as he is open to the possibility that somebody else might develop a better solution. He does feel the bigger issue is people have suffered enough and want a solution to the stalemate.
The appointment of Niwattumrong Boonsongpaisan as acting caretaker prime minister was also met with indifference.
I don't think it makes much difference you know. It's the most senior deputy Prime Minister who'll be taking over, said Mr Abhisit.
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Thailand's political deadlock not over, cautions Abhisit