Somkid was hospitalised for treatment of heart disease on Wednesday night, while Banharn has stomach ulcers.

Thaksin, his wife Khunying Pojaman and Thai Rak Thai secretary-general Suriya Jungrung-reangkit paid a call on both patients yesterday.

Thaksin said Banharn appeared to be recovering very well and was likely to go home today.

"We didn't talk about politicals, we talked only about his health. I gave him moral support and he gave me some too," Thaksin said.

The caretaker prime minister said Somkid would probably be in hospital for two days.

 "It's no problem for Somkid because nowadays the doctors are proficient," he said.

His doctor said yesterday the commerce minister had undergone a procedure known as "ballooning" to widen his clogged arteries.

Senior Thai Rak Thai member Sutham Sangpratum said Thaksin and Banharn were close, so the visit might produce some good news.

Sutham said Banharn had told reporters at the hospital he was willing to be a middleman to negotiate between the government and the opposition parties.

The premier spent about 20 minutes at the hospital. He also went to a barbershop on Silom Road where he is regular customer.

While Thaksin was getting into his car, about 200 people waited for him to give him encouragement, telling him to "fight on, fight on".

A taxi driver waiting near the barbershop told Thaksin that "Sondhi [Limthongkul] had abused him in three languages [Thai, Chinese and English], therefore I will abuse Sondhi in three languages, too".