Thaksin is scheduled to have an audience with His Majesty the King at the Royal Palace this morning during a ceremony marking Coronation Day.

In the evening, Thaksin will greet His Majesty at a gala dinner to be held at Government House as part of the celebrations for the occasion. Thaksin will host the event.

It will mark Thaksin's return to Government House after he handed the reins to his deputy Chidchai Vanasatidya as acting premier in early April.

"Thaksin will chair the government reception on Coronation Day," government spokesman Surapong Suebwonglee said yesterday.

On April 4, Thaksin announced his decision not to seek a third term as prime minister and to "take a break" from politics. He claimed he wanted to travel and would only resume his duties on special occasions.

"He said only in very special cases would he be back to resume his duties. Royal ceremonies are very special ceremonies," Surapong said yesterday. Chidchai will resume the role of acting premier between ceremonies, the spokesman said.

Thaksin had an audience with the King on Wednesday and he had another royal audience during a religious ceremony at the Royal Palace yesterday afternoon.

"He is still the country's prime minister and would be in charge of royal ceremonies, which are important tasks for the government, especially for special occasions related to the King," PM's Office Minister Suranand Vejjajiva said yesterday.

With Thailand's next government not likely to be formed soon, Thaksin can look forward to presiding over several royal functions over the next two months.

Thaksin never resigned his post and has remained the official prime minister, even though he has left Chidchai running the government for the last month.

While Coronation Day celebrations today promise to be a fairly subdued affair, Thailand has grand plans for marking the 60th anniversary of His Majesty's accession to the throne on June 12 and 13.

The Nation, Agencies