BANGKOK : Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra said Wednesday he would consider stepping down for a period of time to ease the political crisis gripping the kingdom.
But Thaksin also said he had no immediate plans to give up the prime minister's job.
"I am open to considering every solution," the embattled premier said, when asked if he would consider stepping down temporarily.
"I still have to decide what to do. I will make the best decision when the time comes," Thaksin told reporters in the town of Buriram in northeastern Thailand, where he was campaigning for April 2 snap elections.
"If there is anyone who could work instead of me, I would not cling to my position," he said.
Thaksin spoke one day after some 70,000 protesters blockaded his office, in the latest mass protest to demand he step down over allegations of corruption.
The premier was responding to repeated questions about a proposal from academics and business leaders, who have suggested that Thaksin step aside for a period of time to allow for political reforms sought by the opposition.
- AFP /ct