His move came one day after a group of Ramathibodi doctors came out to call for embattled caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra's resignation.

The doctors said they had acted on their own, and not in the name of the hospital.

In a letter to staff, the dean said the faculty supported the Council of University Presidents of Thailand, which is offering to act as a mediator between the warring sides.

On Thursday, Thai Rak Thai Party mainstay and PM's Office Minister Newin Chidchob claimed that former Mahachon Party leader Anek Laothamatas may be behind the move by

the Ramathibodi doctors, because his wife worked in the hospital.

Anek yesterday dismissed Newin's comment, saying his wife was not behind the Ramathibodi movement and that he did not know if she was a member of the group.

"Newin should consider his behaviour before accusing others.

"Previously several groups called for Thaksin's resignation," he said.

"If he [Newin] wants to know about my wife, he should ask Deputy Prime Minister Chidchai Vanasatidya's sister, because she is my mother-in-law, or ask Thaksin, because my wife treated the premier's ears," he said.