Read their lips

Former PM Thaksin Shinawatra, right, greets Privy Council President Prem Tinsulanonda at the funeral of the mother of Army chief Anupong Paochinda this week. This is the first time the two have met since the coup last September.

I was assigned to the funeral of the mother of Army chief Anupong Paochinda at Sommanat temple on Thursday.

There was speculation in the afternoon that former PM Thaksin might attend. Thaksin and Anupong were classmates. I was on tenterhooks to see if Privy Council president Prem Tinsulanonda came too, as it would be the first time they had met since the September 19, 2006 coup.

What tipped me off that Thaksin would come was his sister Yingluk arriving at the temple at 4pm for the Royal bathing rites.

After this she left and returned in the evening, bringing a wreath from Thaksin and his wife Pojaman.

Prem arrived at around 6.50pm, followed by Privy Councillor and former PM Surayud Chulanont, who carried the Royal wreath.

Interior Minister Chalerm Yoobamrung arrived later. He immediately gave a chest-high wai to Prem. The two had a 15-minute conversation.

Testing the waters

I think Chalerm was Thaksin's advance man. Chalerm mentioned the two hadn't met this closely since 1989. Chalerm told Prem he looked young and healthy. Prem replied he was old and moved slowly. Prem teased Chalerm that he was as handsome as ever.

I was thrilled when Thaksin arrived at 7.05pm, five minutes after the monks had started chanting. I think he was waiting near the temple until Prem arrived and then followed.

I think Thaksin wanted to make sure he would meet Prem.

I was told someone had hinted to Prem that Thaksin would be there. Speculation had been rife since Yingluk's appearance.

Thaksin's guards were at the temple 10 minutes before he arrived. Anupong went to greet Thaksin as he took a seat in the second row behind Prem and Surayud in the pavilion. It convinced me that Anupong knew Thaksin was coming. I think Anupong was the middleman in arranging this meeting.

After the rites were over, Thaksin walked directly to Surayud and gave him a wai. Surayud had a brief conversation and tapped Thaksin on the arm before leaving.

The highlight of the night was when Thaksin walked directly to Prem and gave him a wai. They were together for no more than 15 seconds.

Thaksin maintained a wai all the time. Prem said nothing.

Looking for coverage

I think Thaksin wanted pictures of this meeting to be the talk of the town and wanted the news media to do the job. However, he failed.

About a hundred reporters and photographers were forced out of the pavilion. We had to wait outside and couldn't hear what they said. We saw what was going on through the glass, though.

From what lip-reading I could do I think Thaksin said: "Hello. I'm sorry."

I checked the next day with a military source, who said Thaksin had told Prem he was "sorry for everything".