The break might give him some peace of mind while plotting how to stage a comeback with reinvented guile and intrigues.

His current status is also a new wonder in Thai politics. As caretaker prime minister, Thaksin has abandoned his role of taking care of the government and the entire population and instead named a confidant to assume the role of managing the affairs of state while he goes on leave.

The country now has two caretaker prime ministers - one active and one inactive - which actually does not inspire confidence in the country's immediate future, not to mention the long-term prospect of another turbulent period as long as Thaksin does not quit politics for good.

Before leaving Bangkok, Thaksin invited some ambassadors to meet him for what he called "discussions" on his foreign trips. It was disclosed later that he wanted to have private visits and chummy talks with US President George W Bush and British Prime Minister Tony Blair, among others.

London is bustling with tourists roaming the city during the Easter weekend. Among the various attractions, they stop at No 10 Downing Street on their stroll along Whitehall for a peek at the famous residence. If the gate swings open for an Asian visitor whose face appeared on Time magazine's Asia edition last week, it may arouse some curiosity among onlookers.

It is not certain that Blair can spare the time to meet the embattled chap from Thailand now that he too has to deal with a scandal over cash for honours. But a meeting may prove valuable after all. At least Blair can get few tips from his Asian pal on how to survive personal political crises arising from scandals, especially those linking massive corruption and abuse of power.

If Thaksin has time, he can fly to Italy and also give advice to Silvio Berlusconi, who is in the same league in terms of wealth from business, flair in political marketing and how to make the best use of the media for political gain.

Of course, the friend from Asia can also enlighten the embittered Italian on how to avoid a sudden downfall through deception and scheming. Berlusconi might not have lost his re-election bid by a hairline margin had he learned some tricks from the polls in amazing Thailand, especially how to win a one-horse race.

But Blair and Berlusconi seem to lack an exceptional quality the Asian guest possesses - an unfathomable resistance to all kinds of accusations, no matter how truthful and solid the evidence his adversaries are able to produce. The rule of law is a just matter of nuisance.

One also must be able to ignore for months tens of thousands of people in the streets shouting "Get out" or "Down with tyranny!" during rallies and demonstrations. Let them holler till hell freezes over, as long as one retains control over the government and all legal machinery to settle scores with those street pipsqueaks later.

Thaksin, his critics say, has been stalling for time to make sure his multibillion-baht wealth - amassed through Shin Corp and from the sale of his family's stake in the company - is in a safe place, beyond the reach of any subsequent investigations for malfeasance and all sorts of wrongdoing over the past five years.

That's why he set the condition in his delegation of power to the active caretaker prime minister, Chidchai Vanasatidya, that matters of utmost importance still have to be handled by him. This is for his protection and self preservation while the country is in the doldrums while awaiting the results of a protracted general election that nobody can predict the end of.

While away, Thaksin's cronies at home are very active in vindictive legal pursuits, dragging their boss's enemies to the Criminal Court on charges of libel. This will put the leaders of the People's Alliance for Democracy on the defensive with legal troubles. Never mind the public outcry over the double standards shown in selective legal proceedings.

Thai Rak Thai candidates might feel proud of their election victories in the absence of serious challengers. Yet it remains in serious doubt how they can come up with legal tricks to convene the House of Representatives and elect Thaksin's successor. There is no way they can have all 500 MPs in the House within the time limit.

More trouble ahead, obviously. Yet independent agencies are also struggling to explore various avenues to serve Thaksin's political agenda. This is so that he can regain the status of leader with the help of his huge war chest and a willingness to spend taxpayer money to boost his popularity among rural grassroots voters, who are feeling the pinch due to debts.

It is not known how long Thaksin will be in London as there are reports that he wants to visit Texas, supposedly to have a chat with President Bush. If he is still here, Thais in London may stage an unpleasant surprise for him by rallying in front of the Thai Embassy next week.

This is so that he will not miss the familiar scenes at Sanam Luang and around Government House of the past two months, or that infamous song written to fully describe what he has done to the country in the past five years.

Sopon Onkgara