Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont dismissed on Saturday speculation that Thaksin had sought a meeting with him on the sidelines of Asean-China commemorative summit in Nanning, scheduled for tomorrow and Tuesday.

"I have not been approached by Thaksin," he said.

Rumours spreaded like wildfire that Thaksin was trying to cut a deal with the interim government in order to end his exile in London and escape graft prosecution.

Meanwhile, a Thaksin's supporter and activist claimed that the international community was now aware about the story behind the September 19 military coup as illustrated by the Prem-Pojaman meeting.

"It is clear that Thai democratic rule has been sub-jugated by the elite and the military and is not a genuine democracy representing the voice of the people," Phromsak Saenpo said.

Phromsak, also chairman of Northern Grassroots People Federation, said Thaksin was free to return to his homeland without any preconditions.

"Thaksin is a Thai citizen and there is no law to prevent him from coming home," he said.

Authorities have no justification to block Thaksin's return although they fear possible backlash after usurping his power, he added.

Supreme Commander General Boonsarng Niampradit said the Prem-Pojaman meeting had been blown out of proportion.

"It is far fetched to speculate that Prem was the mastermind of the military coup simply because Pojaman called on him," Boonsarng said.

Prem is the country's senior figure and it is normal for a junior figure like Pojaman to try to seek his sympathy during troubled time, he said.

The Nation