Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra insisted yesterday he would not surrender to any "illegal attempts" to oust him, saying his opponents were "old guards" who had never enjoyed the freedom he had granted.

"When I do everything legally, why should I welcome the demand of those who want me to quit?" Thaksin told Cabinet members and senior government officials in a meeting at Government House.

"If I surrender to those outlaws, anyone who becomes prime minister will be blackmailed and the government will fall. I have to defend the democratic rules," he said.

Thaksin called for yesterday's meeting as tension between his supporters and opponents reached a critical stage after a bomb exploded in front of the residence of Privy Council chairman General Prem Tinsulanonda on Thursday.

However, Thaksin has ruled out resignation and continues to campaign for the April 2 election, despite a boycott by three opposition parties - the Democrats, Chat Thai and Mahachon.

He says he wants to ensure that all government officials stay neutral as a pillar of the national administration when the nation is in chaos.

"Government officials need to stay neutral and work to the best of their ability," he said.

Thaksin blamed the anti-government movement under media maverick Sondhi Limthongkul for the worsening situation, saying they had only one goal - to get rid of him.

"The current political turmoil derives from the rallies at Lumpini Park, at which the government gave them freedom of speech," Thaksin said.

Sondhi kept changing his allegations when the premier could defend them with the truth, Thaksin said. The truth was, he added, that he could not respond to Sondhi's business demands while he conspired for his ouster with people who had lost out under his administration.

"What they want is to amend the Constitution to ban me from being involved in politics," Thaksin said.

He called his opponents "old guards" who did not think of national prosperity, but rather called him a traitor.

"My government has pushed for the free-trade agreements with other countries to benefit Thai people," he said. "But they allege I'm selling off national sovereignty.

"It's normal to see those who lose interests yelling, while those who get benefits keep silent."