Rally celebrates Thai PM's exit

Opponents staged regular pre-election rallies against the PM

Thousands of opponents of the Thai prime minister are gathering in Bangkok to celebrate his resignation and to demand his full removal from politics.

Supporters of the alliance that organised pre-election protests against Thaksin Shinawatra congregated at the Grand Palace for the day-long rally.

Mr Thaksin won Sunday's election but stepped aside after a big protest vote.

Opponents warned Mr Thaksin, who will remain head of his Thai Rak Thai party, not to wield power behind the scenes.

'Honour and dignity'

Mr Thaksin has handed power temporarily to Deputy Prime Minister Chidchai Vanasatidya but has said he is just leaving office, and not formally resigning.

[Mr Thaksin] clearly announced that he has withdrawn and will not play any significant role. He has taken leave until a new government forms Chidchai Vanasatidya Thai press sceptical Thaksin's long goodbye

Mr Thaksin will remain head of the party which, because of an opposition boycott of the elections, now dominates parliament.

On Friday Mr Chidchai insisted he was not a proxy leader.

"Everyone has his own honour and dignity," he said.

He is not a member of parliament and cannot take the top job permanently.

The People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD), which organised Friday's rally, remains wary of Mr Thaksin's influence.

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

Alliance spokesman Parnthep Pourpongpan said: "Thaksin cannot be involved in the leadership of the country, otherwise his break from politics will be pointless."

Speculation continues about who could become the next prime minister.

Thai reports suggest deputy prime minister and commerce minister Somkid Jatusripitak is still the frontrunner.

However, Mr Somkid has had health problems - he recently had an angioplasty to open blocked arteries - and may not want the post.

The election of any leader is still shrouded in doubt.

Parliament will choose the next prime minister. Five hundred seats must be filled for it to convene - and 39 are facing by-elections.

Because of the opposition boycott, no candidate in those seats gained the required 20% threshold of votes.

The Democrats are refusing to take part in the by-elections so there is no guarantee they will be filled within 30 days - the constitutional time limit for a parliament to convene following an election.

The PAD has warned it will step up protests if Mr Thaksin does not fully withdraw from the scene.

However, opinion polls suggest increasing public weariness with the protests.

In one survey on Wednesday, 87% of those polled wanted them to stop.