Anti-Thaksin protests 'to go on'

Thaksin's future role is still in doubt

Opponents of the outgoing Thai prime minister say they will keep up their protests until he is removed completely from political power.

Thaksin Shinawatra won Sunday's election but stepped aside following a large protest vote.

But he says he will stay in parliament and continue to lead his party.

The opposition, which boycotted the poll accusing Mr Thaksin of corruption and abuse of power, says it will press on to "uproot the Thaksin regime".

'Proxy government'

Although Mr Thaksin has handed power temporarily to Deputy PM Chidchai Vanasatidya, many analysts question whether he is truly stepping from the political arena.

The People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD), which organised street protests against Mr Thaksin ahead of the election, has called another gathering for Friday - partly as a victory rally and partly to keep up pressure on Mr Thaksin's Thai Rak Thai party.

The first stage is to oust Mr Thaksin and the second is to uproot the Thaksin regime Suriyasai Katasila, opposition alliance co-ordinator Thai press sceptical Thaksin's long goodbye

Following the opposition election boycott, Thai Rak Thai dominates parliament, although there are many constitutional questions still to be answered about how and when a new government can be formed.

PAD spokesman Suriyasai Katasila said: "The mission is not over. We still preserve our right to monitor Thaksin to make sure the Thaksin regime is over."

A PAD leader, Sondhi Limthongkul, said Mr Thaksin's departure was just "a show" and said there would be more protests if the former PM did not step down as Thai Rak Thai leader within a month.

"We will not accept Thaksin remaining Thai Rak Thai Party leader or running a proxy government from behind," Mr Sondhi said.

On Wednesday, a visibly moved Mr Thaksin was greeted by several thousand supporters at party headquarters in Bangkok.

THAKSIN'S POLITICAL CRISIS 23 January: Thaksin family sells 49.6% stake in telecoms firm Shin Corp 4 February: 50,000 attend rally in Bangkok demanding Thaksin's resignation; similar rallies continue in the capital 24 February: Thaksin dissolves parliament and calls snap election 27 February: Three main opposition parties say they will boycott the poll 2 April: Thais vote for new government amid opposition boycott 3 April: Thaksin says his Thai Rak Thai party has won more than 50% of vote 4 April: Thaksin says he will step down Profile: Thaksin Shinawatra

He said: "I will remember on the day that I die that the people came out to show their support."

Mr Thaksin has vowed his party will continue to follow his policies.

Mr Thaksin also made it clear he had not formally resigned but was just leaving office. His replacement - Mr Chidchai - is not an MP and cannot remain prime minister.

A new leader will be chosen by the government, when it is formed.

Although final results from the election are still not confirmed, unofficial results give Thai Rak Thai 57% of the vote. But the "no vote" option on the ballot paper drew 37%.

In 39 constituencies candidates failed to win the 20% threshold needed to be elected and there must be by-elections.

The election commission has vowed to hold two rounds within 30 days - the constitutional time limit for a parliament to convene following an election.

However, there is no guarantee the by-elections will provide winners and parliament must have all 500 seats filled before it can convene.

The Democrats say they will also boycott the by-elections.

"We will join elections once there have been political reforms," deputy party leader Sathit Wongnongthoey said.

The Nation newspaper, which has been a long-time critic of Mr Thaksin, warned he would still be the power behind the throne.

"Despite the emotional announcement, the tears, the planned vacation and the designation of a new caretaker leader, Thaksin Shinawatra has built a political legacy too deep-rooted, massive and enigmatic to be easily undone," it said.