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When former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra met Privy Council President Prem Tinsulanonda late in May, lip readers, or those who claim to lip-read, were trying to decipher what Thaksin actually said to Prem during the funeral of the mother of Army Chief Anupong Paochinda. Some said Thaksin said "I'm sorry." But this was dismissed by Thaksin's people. (Thaksin might actually have said 'I'm sorry' because he was a bit late, being among the last group of politician guests to arrive at the temple.)

Although Thaksin chatted with Prem for only a brief period (15 seconds), the press had a field day. Some said the political situation would be eased. Just one wai meant eternal social harmony. We'll let you decide if that wai meant that much.

On Sunday night, dignitaries gathered again at the wedding party for a daughter of Sanan Kachornprasart. The event was filled with both government and opposition politicians. Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej and opposition leader Abhisit Vejjajiva were among the guests. And yes, so was former prime minister Thaksin.

This time, Thaksin arrived before Samak and he was sitting with Education Minister Somchai Wongsawat, in the master of ceremony's chair, while Sanan and his wife were greeting guests. When Samak arrived, Thaksin stood up and greeted Samak. But when Samak was asked to sit with Thaksin, the prime minister looked awkward.

Samak may not want people to guess what he had to say to Thaksin when they were together. The most sceptical person would say, finally the nominee and the puppeteer meet.

Earlier on the same day, Samak said in his "Talk Samak Style" programme that he would not allow himself to be dictated to by the newspapers. Samak told his nationwide audience during the live show that he would not reshuffle his Cabinet in a way suggested by the media.

"I won't allow myself to be dictated to by reporters," Samak said. "Let's wait and see whether the newspapers will lose face after their prediction on my Cabinet reshuffle turns out wrong," Samak said during his programme.

In the evening, when he turned up at the party, Samak might have thought the press had had too much fun already with his comments. So, when he was asked to sit with Thaksin during the wedding ceremony, he said, "If we are fixed up with each other like this, it will become big news (again)."

Or Samak may be afraid that Thaksin would ask him what he owed him, because Samak hit back at Abhisit's allegation during the censure motion debate that Samak had to pay back the favour given to him by Thaksin. Samak said that in fact Thaksin owed him.

When Sanan and his wife came back to the table, Thaksin stepped aside, leaving Samak to sit with Sanan and Somchai. Apparently, Thaksin and Samak didn't want to steal the spotlight from the bride and the groom.