However, Mr Abhisit said he does intend to consider their opinions. In a nationwide broadcast following a special meeting of the leaders of the Thai coalition parties, Mr Abhisit said that he was not able to give an answer to the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship's (UDD) demand within the deadline.

“Our objective is not to cling on to our positions.  Our objective is to see the country move forward within the principle of righteousness, not just for the short term but for the longer term,” he said.

He admitted a House dissolution is one of the political solutions to avoid a serious political crisis or resolve a serious conflict in the parliament.  However, he also noted that the current political conflict had gone far beyond himself and his government.

The Thai government leader maintained that his government has no intention whatsoever to be the first to resort to the use of force. “Nor does my government intend to provoke further conflict with the protesters,” he said.

The PM also voiced serious concern, saying previous statements he had allegedly given were misinformation deliberately disseminated by some protest leaders to provoke violence from the protesters.

However, he said authorities responsible for maintaining peace and order had been instructed to exercise their utmost patience and tolerance and to strictly follow the law in dealing with the protesters.

“The government will not gain anything from violence.  It will not be the government that initiates violence,” Mr Abhisit stressed.