Caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shina-watra visits Govern-ment House yesterday, his first appearance at his office in almost two weeks.

After almost a fortnight on the road campaigning, Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra made a surprise return to his office.

While there's no fixed agenda requiring him to go to Government House, Thaksin deliberately made an entrance at 9.19 am, deemed by some superstitious minds as an auspicious moment.

Thaksin didn't sneak into the office, as some had expected. His motorcade entered the first gate from Rama V Road.

The premier said later he was not bothered by the People's Alliance for Democracy's 48-hour ultimatum to stand down. Their deadline ended at 9pm last night.

In most countries, the presence of the head of government at the seat of power would not be a surprise. However, Thaksin was last seen at Government House on March 10 and appears to have avoided protesters who have camped outside for days. And with Thaksin "on the run" there was speculation he might not return till after the April 2 election.

The premier was back with a vengeance yesterday. Asked about the protesters' deadline ending last night, Thaksin laughed and said: "If they drew the deadline with pencil, then, that's no big deal."

Asked when he would come to Government House again, he said: "Whenever I want to. If I don't want to, I won't come. No big deal."

Thaksin's surprise return looks to have been calculated for when his key foes - the leaders of the PAD - were away. Sondhi Limthongkul and Chamlong Srimuang were leading a rally at the Finance Ministry. Only a small group remained. But they let him know their feelings, chanting the occasional "Thaksin, get out!"

However, it was hardly business as usual in the House, as Thaksin's people wouldn't allow reporters to wait outside Thai Khufa building. They were not allowed around the back of the building, and didn't have the usual access to Thaksin.

Phadoong Limcharoenrat, Thaksin's personal secretary, asked officials to take away the long white fabric Thaksin supporters wrapped around the fence surrounding Government House. Sources said that in spite of the good intention, Phadoong felt it conjured up the image of the white robe on a coffin.

During his one-hour stay, Thaksin met briefly with Cabinet secretary Bavornsak Uwanno, who said later they didn't discuss the political situation or the possibility of exercising the emergency degree. "It's not my job, anyway," he said.

Bavornsak dismissed any notion Thaksin was on a break while away from the office. "There's no leave whatsoever. When he was away, he signed all the documents," he said.

Asked if Thaksin discussed the possibility of delaying the election, Bavornsak said that was a matter for the Election Commission to decide.

Bavornsak said he requested a meeting with Thaksin because they hadn't met for three weeks. He said he had just submitted documents on the Cabinet meeting for Thaksin's consideration.

Ministers would meet again next week. However, he was not certain if Thaksin would be away and conduct the meeting via video-conference.

Thaksin left Government House about 10.45am through the second gate, where his motorcade encountered rows of protesters shouting for him to get out.

Government Spokesman Surapong Suebwonglee said later Thaksin would chair next week's Cabinet meeting at Government House. "He went there [yesterday] to clear up some work and prepare for next week. It's not a sneak-in entrance."

Surapong also dismissed rumours that Thaksin would resign. "I met him this morning. He was in good spirits because he had rested for the past two or three days."

Thaksin said he would go to Udon Thani today to continue his campaigning in Isaan. But Surapong said the prime minister would be back in Bangkok next week.

Thaksin's mood changed after he practised his golf swing at RCA driving range. He looked more relaxed than in recent weeks. Unlike on previous days, he stopped to give interviews to reporters.

"There's nothing special. Some days are hot, some days are cold, some days are rainy, some days are sunny," the prime minister said.

Asked about Democrat Party's secretary-general Suthep Thaugsuban's allegation of irregularities in registering election candidacies, Thaksin said this was the cleanest election in Thai history. He said more investigations would follow, which was a good thing. Therefore, nobody should be able to say this election was dirty, he said.

Piyanart Srivalo

The Nation