The women have been dubbed "blue bloods" thanks to their lineage.

Thaksin's claim that a powerful and charismatic figure was plotting to destroy him by unconstitutional means sparked a swift rebuke from the women, who call their group the Society for Truth and Transparency.

They made instant headlines with strong words demanding Thaksin name the person he referred to and accusing him of slurring a "highly revered" national figure.

So, who are these women?

They are 20 to 30 women of aristocratic birth, including MR Ramphi-arpha Kasemsri, ML Anong Ninoubon, Prapai Prasartthong-osoth and Sumalee Viravaidhya, Sumalee told The Nation. She said the society began among the alumni of Mater Dei School.

She and her friends formed the society while discussing Thaksin's claim that a charismatic figure was plotting to overthrow him, a claim they doubted.

Sumalee described the group as a "society of the educated" rather than "blue-blood" women.

Truth and Transparency wants the government to come clean and tell the whole truth, she said.

She said the group's ultimate goal was to invite "brave" people to do the right thing for the country.

"Thaksin always says he loves democracy. We want to ask him: 'How do you love democracy?'" Sumalee said.

She declined say whether Truth and Transparency would participate in more political activities, or join anti-government groups like the People's Alliance for Democ- racy, but said like-minded people tended to take part in similar activities.

"I want the prime minister to keep morality in mind. As a Buddhist, he should look at the doctrine prohibiting the telling of lies. It also prohibits not telling the whole truth," she said.

 Budsarakham Sinlapalavan

 The Nation