“Thammasat University Student Union has collected about 18,000 signatures and other student groups taking part in the campaign have gathered more than 2,000 signatures,” said Thanachai Sunthornanandtachai, the student union’s president.

“We will continue with our campaign,” he added.

Thanachai said that people wishing to take part in the campaign could sign their names at any Thammasat campus, as well as those of Chulalongkorn, Silpakorn, Walailak, Rangsit, Prince of Songkla and Ramkhamhaeng universities.

On Monday the campaigners will be collecting signatures in the Sukhumvit area, Thanachai said.

In Nakhon Ratchasima yesterday, leaflets attacking university lecturers who had called for the prime minister’s resignation were circulated throughout the city.

Dr Adisorn Naowanont of Nakhon Ratchasima Rajabhat University said the leaflets used abusive language to attack lecturers who had earlier called on Thaksin to step down.

Adisorn said he believed the people behind the leaflet drop were trying to please Thaksin.