Embattled Thaksin Shinawatra yesterday convened a meeting of top bureaucrats to expose what he termed a plot to depose him, and also announced a plan to restart his controversial weekly radio programme.

The well-timed manoeuvres came amid rumours of a possible coup.

"Confusion persists because charismatic people and some organisations outside of those sanctioned by the Constitution are trying to impose changes, even though they do not have any mandate to do so," Thaksin said.

In his hour-long speech, the caretaker PM portrayed himself as a defender of democratic rule and lashed out at his opponents for trying to dethrone him by undemocratic means.

"Do not confuse democracy with 'democrazy'. Everything will work out in accordance with the established rules," he said, remaining upbeat he can emerge unscathed from the political crisis.

Meanwhile, political observers believe Thaksin's plan to restart his Saturday morning radio programme "Prime Minister Thaksin Talks to the People" is aimed at defending himself and boosting his popularity.

Thaksin stopped hosting the show after he dissolved Parliament on February 24, but he said yesterday that he would come back to host the programme - from tomorrow. "I will talk [to the audience] only about issues which involve people," he said.

However, political scientist Prayad Hongthongkham believed the PM knew his popularity had been dropping. And with the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) mobilising again he had to find a way to defend himself against claims by his opponents, to try to keep his faithful supporters.

But there could be controversy over whether it is suitable for a caretaker prime minister to host a show, given a new election is coming. He may be seen as campaigning for ballots, especially if the show aims to portray the government as good for the people, said Prayad.

PAD coordinator Suriyasai Katasila said Thaksin was attempting to restart Thai Rak Thai's propaganda machine. But he said it would not have the same impact because people knew now that the PM lacked credibility.

"We shouldn't be concerned about his radio programme. People will see if Thaksin's genuine again after the PAD reveal about his regime to the public," he said.

Suriyasai called on the Election Commission to monitor the programme, saying that if it found Thaksin used the channel for political benefit the commission would have to give him a warning.

Democrat Party spokesman Ong-art Klampaiboon agreed, saying hosting a radio show was not proper while Thaksin was just caretaker premier. The caretaker government should simply administrate until the general election is held.

"Thaksin is the caretaker prime minister and the Thai Rak Thai leader. Therefore, he shouldn't use government time to gain advantage over other political parties," the Democrat said.

Government Spokesman Surapong Suebwonglee said the premier would talk to people tomorrow about the celebrations for His Majesty the King's 60th anniversary on the throne.

Further, Thaksin will inform people what government offices are doing to resolve people's problems, he said.

"It is the premier's idea [hosting the radio programme]," Surapong said. It is normal that there might be criticism about this, he said, but if the criticism caused the government to administrate better "we will accept it".

The move was not done to take advantage of the political situation, Surapong said, because the election decree had not been announced yet and it was unknown when the poll would be held.

"If the decree is announced he [Thaksin] will stop hosting the radio programme," the spokesman said.

Thaksin's talk to senior bureaucrats portrayed determination to lift the country out of the political quagmire. It also showed an intent to take on the hurdles in front of him.

The main theme of his speech was that only the people's votes cast via the electoral process could decide the fate of a government.

"Changes, including constitutional amendments, must occur within the procedures sanctioned by the Constitution," he said.

He called on government officials to strictly abide by the rule of law and not allow themselves to be swayed by individuals operating outside the mechanisms prescribed by the Constitution.

Under Article 215 of the Constitution, he and other Cabinet members must carry out caretaker duties after the House dissolution, but some "ill-intentioned people" had tried to go against this provision by demanding his resignation, Thaksin said.

"In a democracy, everyone should respect the one-man, one-vote system. But certain people see themselves as having a louder voice than any voters," he said.

Some people put themselves above the people and wrongfully cited Article 7 of the Constitution to ask for a royally appointed prime minister to replace him, he said.

The entire country has been engulfed by rumours that made no sense at all, he added.

"In spite of the uncertainty, authorities must be steadfast in performing their duties and any political changes can happen only via democratic means," he said.

"Thailand embraces democracy and a new election will take place," he said, adding that the government could be changed via the electoral process and the Constitution could be amended by the elected Parliament.

He urged government officials to do their job while he would try to put politics back on course.

He said he expected the new election to take place on October 15 and the new government to assume office around November 15.

Commenting on the possible dissolution of his ruling party, its rival Democrat Party and three small parties, he said he had never interfered with the pre-trial preparations of the prosecutors.

"Attorney-General Pachara [Yutithamdamrong] is sitting here and he can confirm my statement," he said, quipping that his party and the Democrats had both ended up being prosecuted.

He said Pachara had his blessing to proceed in accordance with the law.

In reply, Pachara said he was just doing his job and the Constitution Court would rule on whether to disband any parties.

Piyanart Srivalo,

Sucheera Pinijparakarn

The Nation