Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra said today he will step down in order to defuse the long-running political crisis, although he did not say when.
Mr Thaksin will have to remain caretaker prime minister until the selection process for the next prime minister is complete.
Last Sunday's election left 38 constituencies without winners because uncontested candidates did not get the 20% of the eligible vote required to take the seat.
The constitution says all seats must be filled before a new prime minister can be elected.
Bye-elections are to take place later this month to fill the empty seats.
The opposition Democrat Party said it still doubted Mr Thaksin's motives, saying he appeared to have gone back on a commitment made on Monday night to stand down immediately if certain conditions were fulfilled.
Opponents demanding he resign over allegations of corruption and abuse of power said earlier they would stop street protests and take part in a new election if he quit immediately.
Thaskin offered last night to resign if they called off the protests and took part in a new election which, he said, could take place in 15 months' time.
