Former prime minister Chavalit Yongchaiyudh's idea of an interim government comprising representatives from all parties as a way to address discord has drawn stinging criticism from across the political spectrum.
The 86-year-old politician had floated the idea in a press conference last Friday when asked how to avert further political crises.
The former prime minister said the upcoming election should be scrapped and an interim government be formed instead to solve problems facing the country.
However, his idea drew only criticism.
Bhumjaithai Party leader Anutin Charnvirakul said on Saturday the current political atmosphere has shifted into election mode.
"Questions must be asked whether this proposal of an interim government is part of the charter and constitutiona," he said.
Mr Anutin said he appreciated Gen Chavalit's good intentions: "The idea may offer hope, but would be difficult to put into practice," he said.
Regarding another proposal recently doing the rounds, that the Pheu Thai and Democrat parties should form a coalition government to prevent the military from meddling in politics, Mr Anutin said that could be beneficial to the country if it ever actually happened.
"We have to accept that part of the current conflict stems from the two major parties, but if they can help each other, that would be positive," Mr Anutin said.
Former Pheu Thai MP for Chiang Mai, Noppakhun Rathpatai, meanwhile, also expressed disapproval of Gen Chavalit's idea.
"If all the parties are allowed to form the interim government, it would put the people at a disadvantage," Mr Noppakhun said.
According to the politician, such an all-party interim government would be unusual and would lack the traditional checks and balances provided by opposition parties.
Nattawut Saikuar, a core leader of the red-shirt United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD), said he believed Gen Chavalit had good intentions but suggested the idea of an interim government might be interpreted as an attempt to derail the general election, expected to take place between February and May next year.
"There is also no guarantee that this idea would help solve the problem," he said, adding that no formal discussions about the plan are likely to occur.
The UDD leader said he believes wholeheartedly that a full, democratic national election is the best way forward.
"Although those in power have not stepped down and even have plans to cling on, it is important to make sure the power will finally be returned to people," he said.
"The people must defy dictatorship and support the democratic path so the country can finally move forward," Mr Nattawut said.
Responding to Gen Chavalit's reported remarks that violence could happen unless efforts are made to form an interim government, former Democrat MP for Nakhon Nayok, Charnchai Issarasenarak, said he was not sure which sources the former prime minister had based this prediction on.
Security officers are already keeping tabs on the matter, he said.
