The best way to achieve national reconciliation, 82.9 per cent of the poll respondents said, was for the government to listen to the opinions of all parties.

Less than one-fifth, or 18.4 per cent, of respondents were confident that the idea, floated last week by former Democrat leader Pichai Rattakul, was possible. Some 33 per cent were not so sure that the three biggest parties could band together with the military to run the country, the survey found.

However, 42.8 per cent did not agree with the idea of a national government while 30.8 per cent did. The remaining 26.4 per cent of the people surveyed said they were not sure.

The poll was conducted by Suan Dusit University on 1,140 people from across the country from September 11-15 after the idea of a national government – a solution political elites turn to when the country faces deadlock – resurfaced again.

More than two-thirds, or 68.9 per cent, said a national government was not appropriate for Thai politics. And 63.2 per cent said an election should be held.

Some 54 per cent said it was uncertain whether the idea could be realised and 50.8 per cent said a national government would be undemocratic.