A monk sprinkles holy water on caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra and his family members yesterday at Ban Phitsanulok, the premier’s official residence, where Thaksin celebrated his 57th birthday.

Caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra is shocked at the lengthy jail sentences handed to the three election commissioners, according to a Thai Rak Thai insider.

The source said Thaksin told members yesterday the verdict was way beyond what he expected.

Thaksin was speaking to party faithful gathered to celebrate his 57th birthday. The source noted the atmosphere at the party was subdued.

Thai Rak Thai members were instructed not to criticise the court verdict.

"We have to respect the court's verdict. The court is trying to tackle the country's crisis and following the advice of His Majesty the King,'' he said.

Thaksin tried to boost morale by explaining opinion polls showed strong support for himself and Thai Rak Thai.

The party would win big in the October election, he promised.

"Every one must believe in the good deeds that we have done. The party has contributed enormously to the country. There has never been any government that has helped the people this much.

"Less fortunate students get to study, businesses that collapsed get rehabilitated, drug-addicted children return to the embrace of their parents. Do not lose heart,'' he said.

He called on members to uphold democracy, the monarchy, and the Constitution. "If you stick with these three you will return to work for the country again,'' he said.

Thaksin said there must be no offences against electoral laws in the upcoming election campaign, adding the political landscape had changed.

"Never break the law. You are MP candidates. Do not act like you have won the election. Talk to voters about economic and social problems but do not talk about politics. Surveys show the public is bored with political wars of words,'' he said.

Five new Election Commissioners would soon be picked and they would be neutral, he said.

"Actually it is good that there will be a new EC because the party can end all allegations that we won the [April] election because of the EC.

"If we win this election, the public will believe that we are innocent and the opposition cannot claim that we won because the EC helped us,'' he said.

He lashed out at the People's Alliance for Democracy saying it was campaigning hard against him and the party.

But, Thai Rak Thai election workers must explain the party's side of events to voters.

"The law of karma is real. Those who do good deeds will receive good deeds in return. Those who do bad deeds will receive bad deeds in return. The PAD is not democratic and always lies," he said.

Thaksin said he had become the most attacked prime minister in the history of Thailand's democracy.

Thaksin gave each member Bt200,000 for election-campaign expenses.