As with his previous political moves, people are seeing this "return from a holiday" in either black or white terms. Supporters cite his concern for the national economy and a resurgence in narcotics problems to justify the end of his "political break", announced two days after the April 2 snap election and following an audience with His Majesty the King.

Opponents say he is probably afraid that his controversial absence could give strength to an ongoing legal campaign which could ultimately render the entire caretaker government illegitimate.

After his emotional pledge not to accept the post of prime minister after the election, Thaksin returned to Government House for the first time on Monday, then again on Wednesday and also on Thursday. The visits were brief and involved nothing more than preparations for the national celebration of HM the King's 60th year on the throne.

Yesterday he came to Government House again, but this time it was a longer stay, from 9am to late afternoon, before he left for an audience with the King.

Shortly after he arrived at Government House yesterday, a group of villagers suddenly turned up to give him moral support. One of them hugged him as an old friend and wept. "My son has gone back to amphetamines," she sobbed.

A tense-looking Thaksin vowed to take urgent action to solve the drug problem. "I'm calling for all information on the spread of drugs," he later told reporters.

"Does this mean you are back to work now?" one reporter said.

"When there is a problem, I have to correct it," Thaksin quickly replied.

Senior anti-narcotics officials were swiftly summoned. Later, caretaker Deputy Prime Minister Chidchai Vanasatidya stressed a renewed urgency to solve the drugs problem.

"Drugs disappeared for a long while after the government launched a serious crackdown, but now we have to see if our law enforcers have become complacent or negligent," Chidchai said.

Thaksin's return to government work coincided with two major political developments: a clear indication that the next general election will be held later rather than sooner, and strong legal threats to the legitimacy of the entire caretaker government brought on by his "break".

Legal experts among his opponents are saying that his public vow not to accept the post-election post of prime minister, followed by his "farewell" activities as well as packing his belongings at Government House, clearly indicated an intent to resign, which would render the entire caretaker Cabinet constitutionally illegitimate.

Thaksin's golf and shopping trips took place during official working hours, so this could lend some legal weight to the opponents' position. Then there is his own statement - often repeated over the past few weeks - that he was "unemployed".

However, Thai Rak Thai insiders claim the legal campaign is not a major concern. They suggested Thaksin went back to work because it seemed clear that the next general election would not be held within anything like 90 days.

With the economy in danger of slipping into a slumber, the party decided that the caretaker government should take a more pro-active approach, according to sources within it.

"It seems this caretaker government will have to take care longer than expected, and we don't want a bad economy going into the next election," said one of the sources. "It's not that we are afraid of losing the poll. We will win, but we want an easy economy to work with after that."

The decision for Thaksin to get back to government business was made by Thaksin himself, his wife Pojaman, and caretaker Deputy Prime Minister Somkid Jatusripitak, the source said.

Piyanart Srivalo,

Somroutai Sapsomboon

The Nation