Thaksin met recently with Singaporean Deputy Prime Minister S Jayakumar during one of many trips he has taken to Asian countries since being ousted from power in September last year.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Kitti Wasinondh confirmed the meeting between the Singaporean ambassador and Permanent Secretary to Foreign Ministry Grit Ganjanagunchorn at 9.30am.

Kitti quoted Grit as "expressing concerns over recent situation in Singapore." He gave no further details.

Foreign Minister Nitya Pibulsonggram will give a press briefing about the meeting after the cabinet meeting Tuesday afternoon, the spokesman said.

In the CNN interview broadcast on Monday, Thaksin said he decided to retire from political arena. "Enough is enough. It was time to "contribute to the Thai society outside the political arena.

Associated Press reported that a CNN interview with Thaksin broadcast elsewhere Monday evening was not shown in Thailand.

Cable TV provider UBC decided ``not to broadcast the interview'' and instead repeated an earlier program, said a UBC official who spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the subject. The official said there had been no particular order from coup leaders not to air the interview.

CNN representatives in Bangkok could not immediately be reached for comment.

The Nation