Other ministers dismissed rumours that they were following Wissanu.

"Wissanu will leave his office immediately when his resignation letter becomes effective on June 24," Thaksin said, refusing to elaborate on who would replace him as the government's top legal expert.

Wissanu announced his decision to leave the government on Thursday, confirming speculation that had circulated since the departure of former Cabinet secretary-general Borwornsak Uwanno early this month.

Wissanu said he had not yet sent a letter of resignation because he still had to take care of some important responsibilities.

He said he would be going abroad in the next few days but gave no date for his return.

He declined to disclose his reasons for the foreign trip and said he would reveal all within a month.

Wissanu said the country was in a state of instability and uncertainty, the election date not being approved, the new government not being formed and the House not being convened.

Under these conditions nobody could do much for the country, he said, adding that because of this, bureaucrats and other officials had to handle policies and schemes as the caretaker administration had limited authority.

Meanwhile, caretaker Deputy Prime Minister Somkid Jatusripitak denied that he would follow in Wissanu's footsteps.

"Have you ever heard from me that I am going to quit?" he shot back at reporters. "If not, you should not ask about it."

Caretaker Deputy Prime Minister Suwat Liptapanlop said he would not leave the government.

"I have been in politics for 18 years and experienced all kinds of problems," he said. "The current crisis cannot get me down. I have responsibilities, so I have carry on."

Caretaker Education Minister Chaturon Chaisang is also rumoured to be planning to resign.

A number of directors of 175 education zones around the country yesterday discussed the idea that Chaturon might want to resign after he failed to show up to chair their meeting at the Tawana Ramada Hotel.

Chaturon postponed the meeting to today , but the directors were not informed. They learnt about the rescheduling only when they arrived at the hotel.

Chaturon later insisted he would stay on in government.