In a hastily arranged meeting, which came amidst a rumour of possible House dissolution in a day or two, Thaksin called on Prem at his Si Sao Thewet residence for advice from the respected elder statesman.

The premier told a subsequent gathering of top bureaucrats at City Hall that he asked Prem if he had encouraged Chamlong Srimuang to oppose him as allegedly claimed by Chamlong. Thaksin said Chamlong claimed in Nakhon Sawan recently he had decided to join the anti-Thaksin campaign after receiving a supportive phone call from Prem.

"I asked General Prem and he told me that what Maj General Chamlong claimed was untrue. He had never phoned Chamlong. [Prem] insisted he was remaining neutral," Thaksin was quoted by a source as saying.

Chamlong, who was formerly Thaksin's political mentor, once accepted the telecom tycoon-turned-politician into his now-defunct Palang Dharma Party.

After an hour-long meeting, the premier left Prem's residence at about 11.30am. Prem was smiling, while Thaksin appeared restrained as he left.

Prem, a former prime minister, is still influential in political and military circles. His recent lecture to university students about the ethical values needed for leadership was interpreted by both supporters and critics of the premier as being intended for Thaksin.

At Thaksin's instruction, his deputy secretary-general Lt-General Preecha Suwannarat on Tuesday night contacted Prem's top aide, Lt-General Pajun Tamprateep, to arrange the meeting, according to a source.

In the afternoon, Thaksin met Chavalit Yongchaiyudh, an ex-premier and his adviser, at Ban Phitsanulok for about half an hour. They discussed political affairs, a source said.

Piyanart Srivalo

The Nation