Banners outside Government House mock caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra for steering clear of the anti-PM rally there.

With the caretaker prime minister and his Cabinet out of town fighting for their political lives in the country's far-flung provinces, the Government House compound has become something of a ghost town lately.

Under normal circumstances, the red-roofed Thai Khufa building is arguably the most high-profile building in the nation, seen by millions around the country through their television sets.

But since Thaksin Shinawatra was last seen there on March 10, the Italian-style building has been almost deserted. Even the rooster motif seems sedate under the hot sun.

It has been said that Thaksin left his office not only to campaign for next month's election, but also to avoid the protesters camped outside.

Government House, with its distinctive architectural style, has for decades witnessed the country's political ups and downs. But never has the master left this house so lonely.

It seems that Thaksin is happy to travel around the nation to avoid going to Government House at all costs.

"I've never seen any government in which the prime minister has not come to his office to work," said one official who has worked at Government House for more than 30 years.

"This is the first government that has chosen to tour the provinces despite the fact that they have only one assignment - to organise the celebrations for the 60th anniversary of His Majesty the King's reign. And they have chosen to do teleconferences," he said, shaking his head.

Only prime minister's office ministers and deputy prime ministers are carrying out their daily routines. There is no formal weekly agenda as most of the Cabinet members are with the prime minister out in the provinces.

The small booth on the lawn for the press corps, notorious for its noise, is also quiet.

Officials and six deputy prime ministers are taking turns to go in and out of the office, but their presence is largely to keep and eye on the protesters.

Justice Minister Chidchai Vanasatidya is stationed there for security reasons. Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam is occasionally seen working half a day, while Somkid Jatusripitak and Surakiart Sathirathai, both deputy premiers, visit the place only for teleconferences with Thaksin.

The majority of Government House residents for the past couple of weeks have not been politicians but the policemen who oversee the protesters, some of who were only prevented from entering the building by the small canals that flank it.

One of the most familiar scenes that has been absent in recent weeks is that of Thaksin being besieged by reporters and cameramen at the marble stairs.

Today, however, the stairs are quiet, as is the usually busy Grand Salon chamber where official visitors are received.

The only signs of life are the noises from the anti-Thaksin protesters camped outside.

Thaksin almost came back to his office last Thursday to discuss the ceremony to commemorate the 60th anniversary of HM the King's coronation.

However, as his entourage approached Phya Thai Road, his limousine went instead to the Foreign Ministry.

Since then, Thaksin has conducted two Cabinet meetings via teleconference. During one such conference call from the north, he said: "The Cabinet can work through mobile phones in this digital era."

During the heat of the day the number of hard-core protesters gathered around the building is reduced to only a few hundred. But after the sun sets the venue turns into a Woodstock-like festival with music, theatrical performances and soap-box speeches a la London's Hyde Park Corner, as tens of thousands of people chant "Thaksin Get Out" all night long.

Ironically, Government House has become the focal point for anti-government sentiment, while the prime minister runs around the country.

Thaksin may be hoping that after the second day of April, he will no longer have to continue being the premier in "exile".

Piyanart Srivalo

The Nation

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