Suriyasai Katasila said the group's decision to have a five-day break before another rally at Sanam Luang was because the group wanted Thaksin to have time to think.

Society would also have time to consider different ideas and clear up any confusion in their minds. People would realise the origin of all problems was Thaksin, he said.

During the five-day break, the group will prepare to co-ordinate with Alliance members in the provinces, who will come to gather in Bangkok and remain demonstrating until Thaksin resigns.

Various anti-Thaksin groups have been protesting in the provinces in parallel with the big rally in Bangkok. Suriyasai said it was too late for Thaksin to see and talk with former opposition parties. He should spend the little remaining time deciding to resign. The situation was far from a dead end and was not so serious that it required a royally-appointed government.

The social contract Thai Rak Thai Party signed with minor political parties meant nothing, he said, because it was a promise based on the morality of those who signed it.

Meanwhile, a political scientist suggested that Thaksin should withdraw from politics to end the crisis over his leadership.

"The political deadlock will be resolved if Thaksin decides to remove himself from the upcoming elections," Chaiyan Chaiyaporn of Chulalongkorn University said.

The PAD would end its protest if Thaksin withdrew, he added. With or without Thaksin, the ruling Thai Rak Thai Party was likely to win a fresh mandate to form the next government, he said.

By taking the bold decision not to stand for re-election, Thaksin would win public praise.

Sathien Viriyapanpongsa

The Nation