"When I said I would take a break [early last month], I thought an election would be held soon, but the situation now is that it will be many months before the election takes place, so I have to work, otherwise the country will be in trouble."

Thaksin told reporters he would have a meeting with his deputy Chidchai Vanasatidya tomorrow to devise plans to tackle the growing tension in the southernmost provinces, following a bloody attack on two women teachers taken hostage in Narathiwat on Friday.

Thaksin's return to office comes as the next general election looks likely to be called later rather than sooner and the caretaker government runs a real risk of being declared illegitimate over his six-week break from official duties.

After his emotional pledge not to accept the post of prime minister after the April 2 election, Thaksin returned to Government House for the first time on Monday, then again on Wednesday and Thursday.

The visits were brief and involved nothing more than preparations for the national celebration of His Majesty the King's 60-year reign.

Thaksin met about 300 drivers of the vans commonly called Subaru buses who came to ask for his help.

They said the Metropolitan Police were starting to fine them when their small vans ran on main roads, claiming they were poaching passengers on routes assigned to licensed buses.

The operators insisted that they had used the routes around Bangkok for more than 10 years with no problems or complaints.

Thaksin said he would consult with the transport minister and the Metropolitan Police chief

to see how he could settle the dispute.