of 500 seats in the first election held under the People's Constitution of 1997. It is the first time in Thai democratic history a single party had won such a mandate.

The Constitution Court ruled 87 in favour of Thaksin on a charge of having concealed assets. A guilty result would have cost him his premiership.

2005

Jan 6: The government under Thaksin Shinawatra becomes the first administration in 73 years of Thai democracy to complete a full fouryear term.

Feb 6: Thaksin is reelected with 377 of 500 lower house seats, making his Thai Rak Thai Party the country's first oneparty government in the 73 years since the end of the absolute monarchy.

Sept 16: The government cancels Sondhi Limthongkul's weekly television programme, saying he repeatedly made onesided criticisms of Thaksin. Sondhi responds by holding a series of his shows at Thammasat University and later Lumpini Park. The show gathers antiThaksin supporters every week, turning  Sondhi into Thaksin's No.1 opponent.

2006

Jan 23: The Thaksin and Damapong families announce the taxfree sale of their 49.6 per cent stake in telecoms giant Shin Corp to Singapore's stateowned Temasek Holdings for about Bt73 billion. Thaksin denies reports of the sale until hours before it was finalised.

Feb 4: More than 50,000 people pack the Royal Plaza as Sondhi demands Thaksin quit because he lacks legitimacy and ethics. Sondhi hands a petition to representatives of His Majesty the King, asking the monarch intervene.

 Feb 11: Some 20,000 protestors return to the plaza in an antiThaksin rally organised by the People's Alliance for Democracy that includes Sondhi and nongovernmental organisations.

Feb 16: The Constitution Court rejects a petition by 28 senators to investigate claims Thaksin violated the Constitution by mixing business with politics while in office.

Feb 24: With increasing calls for him to quit, Thaksin dissolves the House and calls elections for April 2 after an audience with the His Majesty the King.

Feb 26: At least 50,000 protesters, including Thaksin's former political mentor Chamlong Srimuang and his "Dharma Army" of Buddhist monks, rally peacefully to demand the premier's ouster.

Feb 27: Three main opposition parties announce a boycott of the April elections, saying Thaksin is not sincere in committing to political reform.

March 25: Some 100,000 people attend an antiThaksin rally in downtown Bangkok, the biggest since protests began. Four days later 50,000 people clog Bangkok's commercial district, bringing business and traffic to a halt.

April 2: Voters go to the polls, with a partial count later showing Thaksin winning a majority. His victory is undermined by a strong protest vote.

April 4: Thaksin announces he will not accept the premiership to ease mounting political tension.

April 25: His Majesty the King addresses the nation, calling the courts to solve the national crisis.

May 8: The Constitution Court nullifies April's controversial poll, paving the way for new elections.

May 23: Thaksin returns to work, leading his first Cabinet meeting since stepping aside seven weeks before.

June 22: The Election Commission rules Thaksin's party broke the law during the campaigning for the April elections.

July 13: Thaksin confirms intelligence agencies had unearthed a possible assassination plot against him.

July 21: The King signs a decree setting new elections for October 15 and the top military commander insists the armed forces will not stage a coup despite lingering political  uncertainty.

July 24: Thaksin announces he will lead his ruling party's campaign in the next election, but says he may decline the premiership if he wins.

Aug 24: Election campaigning begins amid uncertainty over whether polls can go ahead as planned and if Thaksin will again seek the top job.

Aug 25: Thaksin accuses a group of military officers of plotting to kill him with a powerful bomb that police discover near his home.

Sept 7: Elections postponed with election commissioners still being sought to replace those convicted of illegally aiding Thaksin.

Sept 14: Date for new election set for late November.

Sept 15: In his final publicised comments before a coup, Thaksin fuels speculation over his political future saying he might not want the premiership as the Kingdom heads into another general election.