In a statement - signed by 50 lecturers, PhD and masters students, mostly from Thammasat University's Faculty of Economics - the academics appealed to Thaksin to quit immediately and appoint a well-respected deputy prime minister to oversee the election.

That would maintain the integrity of the Constitution and solve Thaksin's legitimacy crisis, the academics said.

The group also asked the People's Alliance for Democracy to continue their protest peacefully and avoid political activities that might lead to violence.

They urged people to go cast a "no vote" if the snap election takes place.

"If there is no change before April 2, [we] urge voters to exercise their rights and choose 'no vote' to show that this election has a lack of legitimacy and will not lead to political reform," the statement said.

Among those who signed the statement were Kasian Tejapira and Chaiwat Satha-Anand from Thammasat University's Faculty of Political Science, and Rangsun Thanapornpun and Suvinai Pornvalai from the Faculty of Economics.