Thailand's Teachers' groups have joined the move to oust Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra by threatening to close schools nationwide by next Friday if he refuses to step down, the Bangkok Post said on Thursday.

Auaychai Watha, secretary-general of the Thai teachers network, was quoted as saying that the group would start a five-day countdown after the mass rally on Feb. 26.

The closure would begin in 1,000 schools before growing until the prime minister quits, the report said.

Auaychai said on Wednesday that a House dissolution was not the way to solve the problems. Instead, the prime minister must resign to pave the way for political reform, seek royal appointment of a new prime minister, set up national reconciliation and political reform councils, and hold a general election in a year, or he would face mounting pressure from all sectors.

Also on Wednesday, Thai women's networks comprising 54 organizations from the Network of Women and Constitution, and 39 more from the Alliance for Women's Progress announced their decision to participate in the Sunday's Royal Square rally.

Source: Xinhua