Thammasat University rector Surapol Niti-kraipoj yesterday issued an open letter calling on Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra to quit and make way for the installation of a royally-appointed government.

It was a surprising change of mind for Surapol, who earlier disagreed with the idea of "divine intervention" as a solution to the ongoing political stand-off. A source said the academic changed his mind after a talk with a "respected and prominent" figure.

Surapol said in his letter Thaksin should resign and ask His Majesty the King to appoint a caretaker prime minister to run the country and call a new election with a schedule that is fair to all parties.

He urged all political parties to enter into a "social contract" to ensure political reforms were made through amendments to the Constitution.

The open letter was addressed to the premier and leaders of the three main opposition parties, which are boycotting the April 2 snap election.

Senators Chirmsak Pinthong and Karoon Sai-ngam yesterday echoed calls for a royally-appointed administration during a panel discussion on "What Lies Ahead for Thai Politics", at Naresuan University.

In a related development, university administrators said before last night's rally they were worried it would inflame public sentiment, a university president said.

"Even though the government was supposed to ease tension, it chose to fan it by mobilising a crowd to outshine its opponents," Prince of Songkhla University president Prasert Chitapong said.

The government appeared to have spent a lot of money to transport rural people here for a show of support for Thaksin at Sanam Luang, Prasert said.

Thaksin should resign from his post to end social divisions, but he has snubbed his opponents by flaunting his supporters and making provocative comments.

Leaders from selected state universities will meet today at Chulalongkorn University to map out a common stand on how to end the political tension.