"Only Thaksin can explain his remarks, and the controversy will persist until he reveals the identity of the charismatic figure," Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva said.

Abhisit warned that the political crisis would not end soon if Thaksin kept making inflammatory remarks to fan the animosity.

Thaksin drew flak on Monday after he claimed that the charismatic figure was working behind the scenes to bring about his downfall by unconstitutional means.

For four days he refused to comment any further, and his Thai Rak Thai Party tried to churn out clarifications on his behalf. The ruling party's list of potential charismatic figures included the main opposition party and anti-Thaksin campaigner Sondhi Limthongkul.

Bombarded by questions about his remarks, Thaksin wryly said reporters were the real charismatic figures. He also said he would stop commenting on politics over the religious holiday, which he plans to spend in Pattaya with his family.

He said he would leave Bangkok right after recording his weekly radio address today and return for the candlelit procession to mark Buddhist Lent on Tuesday.

Thai Rak Thai's legal team on Thursday insisted that Thaksin was actually referring to the Democrat Party, the anti-government People's Alliance for Democracy and other anti-government groups.

A Democrat spokesman, Thepthai Senpong, yesterday described the move as an attempt to "get Thaksin out of trouble".

Yesterday a group of former and current Chulalongkorn University students, which calls itself the Chula Network for Virtue and Democracy, issued a statement condemning the premier for making "such an irresponsible remark". The statement said Thaksin lacked the qualifications of a good government leader and therefore should resign.

Chat Thai Party executive Kasem Sorasakkasem yesterday said Thaksin had stirred up even greater confusion by allowing his party members to speculate on his remarks. "Thaksin should clarify his statement before inflicting any more divisions on society," he said.

Thai Rak Thai legal adviser Peeraphan Palusuk said Thaksin's remarks had no reference to the monarch, as alleged by former Senate speaker Meechai Ruchuphan.

Outgoing Senator Thongbai Thongpao said the ruling party had no justification for initiating legal proceedings against Meechai and Sondhi for reacting to Thaksin's ambiguous remarks.

"All troubles will be resolved once Thaksin explains himself," Thongbai said in response to the threat of libel suits against Meechai and Sondhi for allegedly tarnishing Thaksin's reputation by trying to portray him as offending the monarchy.