Special Branch police check for explosives on cars entering Government House.

At Thai Rak Thai Party headquarters in Bangkok, Thaksin met 300 supporters who were loudly cheering "Thaksin fight on" and "Thaksin, keep patient''.

Thaksin thanked them and said he would try his best to bring peace back to the country as soon as possible. He said the country was divided because some people had lost interest in his policies and administration, and some had a different ideology from him.

"I have to be a caretaker to keep peace. I will try to protect and take care of you and myself. You lift my spirits because whenever I have political problems, you always come to give me moral support,'' he said.

Thaksin told his Cabinet that if any ministers were attacked about any project, they should come out to defend themselves. "You are the minister - you know best and have information. If they attack you on good projects, you must explain. Everyone must help defend each other. Be a politician, do not be afraid,'' he said.

He told his Cabinet about last week's alleged assassination plot when a car carrying explosives was found near his Bangkok home. He said he was tipped off about the plot on August 9 while he was returning from Roi Et and then again on August 10.

He said a similar incident happened to former premier Prem Tinasulanonda in his sixth year in power, but it had happened to him in his fifth year. First there were people trying to oust Prem and then trying to kill him.

"Whoever is the next PM, he should not serve too long,'' he

said.

After the meeting, many party members presented Thaksin with sacred objects they believed would help protect his life from any danger and any enemy or weapons.

Northeastern party MPs met to analyse the car-bomb incident, expressing sympathy for Thaksin and their hope that he will be re-elected in the general election.

Samatcha Hunsara,

Piyanart Srivalo

The Nation