At first he rejected all proposals brought by the opposition parties, but then he almost knelt down before Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva, saying he would be pleased to meet Abhisit either at the Democrat Party office or his house.

It seems Thaksin has just realised he had underestimated his rival.

On Sunday, Thaksin woke with delight, knowing that the opposition parties could not agree to boycott the April 2 election because the Chat Thai Party had not made a decision.

He seemed confident that Chat Thai would not join forces with the Democrat and Mahachon parties.

There were rumours that Thai Rak Thai deputy leader Sudarat Keyuraphan had lobbied Chat Thai against joining the opposition in a show of solidarity.

Sunday was, therefore, a day of some leisure for Thaksin. He wore a red jacket to preside over the launch of a "We Care" housing project in Bangkok's Lat Krabang district, and was greeted with bunches of roses and kisses that left lipstick stains on his cheeks to match his jacket.

The caretaker prime minister then went to the Dusit Thani Hotel to have his nails done. He was surprised to learn that Korean pop sensation Rain had stayed at the hotel. He said he wished he had seen Rain's concert on Saturday night but had been too tired.

Then the opposition parties held a press conference. They gave Thaksin an ultimatum to sign a pact agreeing to change the Constitution, or face a boycott of the April 2 snap election. Thaksin neither accepted nor rejected the proposal, promising instead to set up an independent panel to reform politics.

He might still have been confident that he had the upper hand.

He spent his Sunday night watching football. But instead of seeing it through, he switched off in the belief that it was too hard for Wigan to comeback after trailing Manchester United 1-0.

"Man U striker Wayne Rooney has too much power," he said on Monday. "I went to bed at 10.30pm and slept well. I wasn't anxious."

Monday was not Thaksin's day. It was believed he would sign the pact with the opposition parties because it would help him survive the political crisis and at least the snap election would take place.

But Thaksin opted to play his own game by proposing a social contract to amend Article 313 of the Constitution, instead of the proposed pact. He then tried to play leader by inviting all political parties to discuss the implementation of charter amendments at Parliament House.

The opposition rejected the proposal.

Thaksin's tensest moment came when he learned of the opposition parties resolution to boycott the election.

He had not been expecting it.

Oh! Really? Thaksin responded, with an awkward smile. He went ahead and met small parties about the Charter amendment.

He looked tired, and rested his face on his hand while reading Thai Rak Thai's statement. Sometimes, during the meeting, he appeared to be deep in thought.

Key party members believe Thaksin's game has gone wrong for two reasons, a Thai Rak Thai source said yesterday.

The first is Thaksin himself. Known as an arrogant person, he never lets anyone force or assign him to do anything. He believes that his party has a majority, so he should be setting the pace and not the opposition.

The second reason, the source said, is Sudarat Keyuraphan. She lacks the power to lobby or coordinate with the opposition. She is also known as a rival of the Democrats and for the Democrats to have a peaceful talk with Sudarat is impossible.

Abhisit has denied receiving any contact or letter from Sudarat so far, the source said.

Thaksin was clearly up against the wall yesterday and did things quite unlike his former self would do. He badly needs the election to go ahead on April 2 to clear him from the current crisis.

Despite insisting on Monday that the April 2 election could not be postponed because it was called with royal command, Thaksin yesterday asked the Cabinet to consult with the Election Commission about postponing it.

Then he made a plea to meet Abhisit and said he was willing to sign the opposition's pact, as demanded.

Then, late yesterday, it appeared Thaksin was all but berserk.

It was said he planned to go ahead with the election. Moreover, he planned to stage his own political rally at Sanam Luang on Friday.

A psychologist has advised Thaksin to get plenty of sleep.

"When you wake from a nice, long, deep sleep, you will feel refreshed and that is the best protection from stress," according to Associate Professor Naipinit Kachapakdi.

Political Desk

The Nation

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High anxiety

A poll of 1,173 residents of greater Bangkok yesterday and Monday found the following:

What do you think about the political situation?

Concerned  52 per cent

Unconcerned  48 per cent

Will the political situation contribute to people's stress?

Yes  69 per cent

No  31 per cent

What concerns you most about the political crisis?

Economic situation/ 32 per cent

people's livelihood

Severe protests 19 per cent

Disharmony in the country  16 per cent

Source: Suan Dusit Poll