Caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra during an inspection at Suvarnabhumi International Airport yesterday.

With his feet barely back under the table, caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra is already facing a new round in the campaign by his opponents to get rid of him.

The Administrative Court will soon rule if his six-weeks' absence from prime-ministerial duties was actually a resignation, which would pave the way for a non-elected prime minister to take his place. The embattled premier probably realised he should avoid jumping into a war of words, and has instead chosen to work quietly to reclaim his legitimacy and ultimately his popularity as the elected premier.

Few will be surprised if Thaksin does not repeat his promise of early last month when he said he would not assume the premiership if his Thai Rak Thai Party wins the fresh election.

Thaksin probably now realises he made a blunder when he announced plans to step down on April 4. He told the whole nation, just hours after he met His Majesty the King, that he would not seek to become prime minister of the new government, although he would still sit as a House member and Thai Rak Thai leader.

He pledged to work for national reconciliation.

The next day the embattled former telecom tycoon announced he would be in retreat, leaving his regular duties to his caretaker Deputy Prime Minister Chidchai Vanasatidya. However, his opponents had something else in mind. Instead of stepping back, as he did, they saw a golden opportunity to get rid of him. They forced the outcome of the election to be nullified, with a fresh ballot to be held on October 15. They attempted to have his party dissolved, and success would mean Thaksin would be banned from assuming any political post for five years.

They have alleged Thaksin had a complex plan to turn Thailand into a republic. The aim has been to wipe Thaksin from the face of politics, with or without an election.

Forced into a corner, Thaksin has had to strike back hard, working to reclaim his legitimacy through his greatest strength, his popularity and charisma, particularly in rural areas, that has won him three landslide election victories.

He has left the verbal footwork to his legal team, which has become adept at reminding the public that his rise to power is not only legal but legitimate under constitutional rules which provide no room for a non-elected prime minister.

Although Thaksin's opponents believe they have found a legal way to oust him, anyone likely to replace him would need to prepare a defence to take power without an election victory.

The world would be asking how such a leader could be legitimate. Last month Thaksin felt the need to jet off to China, France and Japan to meet superpower leaders to explain how a Thai prime minister, who had just won 16 million votes, could not resume the premiership.

Thaksin's key men also point out that his leave was on the understanding that the House would convene by early May to pave the way for a new government, and that the three top courts did not intervene while the April 2 poll was considered valid.

Thus, they say, his return is legitimate as those conditions have changed.

His opponents are now acutely aware that Thaksin is back in town, and running at full speed.

Weerayut Chokchaimadon

The Nation