The military was yesterday watching closely emerging "undercurrents" in 17 provinces in the North as rumours spread that deposed prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra was trying to sneak back to Thailand.

Meanwhile, a source at the Thai Rak Thai Party said Thaksin would return to Thailand in early December ahead of announcing its dissolution at the end of that month.

Third Region Army Commander Lt-General Jiradej Kotcharat yesterday admitted "undercurrent" cells had been detected in 17 provinces.

They aim to destabilise the Council for National Security (CNS), he said, adding that he had ordered military personnel in these areas to watch the movements of these cells and keep tabs on emerging groups.

"Without wind, waves do not happen," he explained. "It is normal. The emergence of opposition groups is understandable as some people lost out from the coup, but I must remind you this situation is not good for the nation, which needs to be united."

CNS chairman General Sonthi Boonyaratglin said the situation was under control.

"There's nothing to be worried about in general. I'm sure our officials will handle the matter," he said.

"I sat and spoke with Chiang Mai people today, and they said the coup had not affected their lives significantly. Chiang Mai people naturally understand the situation," he replied when asked if he was worried about an anti-coup groundswell in the North.

Sonthi confirmed that Thaksin was in China and did not pro-pose to return. Thai Rak Thai spokesman Sita Divari confirmed this.

"He has no plans to return to Thailand," Sita said yesterday afternoon, several hours before another source said differently.

According to that party source, Thaksin had spoken with Thai Rak Thai officials and decided to return to Thailand in early December, when he would announce the dissolution of the party at the end of the month.

"The decision was made based on the latest analysis of the political situation. By the end of this year the Constitution Tribunal may have ruled on the Thai Rak Thai court case involving the hiring of small parties for the April 2 election. Before the ruling, the CNS is likely to investigate a number of corruption cases related to the party. That is why it was decided Thaksin should return to clarify matters to members and supporters.

"Based on our recent analysis, there are still many people who strongly disagree with the party being dissolved," the source said, adding that the ban on political activity would be lifted by December.

Jiradej explained that "undercurrent" groups in the North were paid to oppose the CNS.

One has distributed propaganda attacking the CNS, signed by a deputy police chief, he said.

"We found that he was a policeman working closely with residents in his area. He had some 2,000 supporters and planned to run in the next election."

He said the policeman's opponents had used the coup to attack him in a game to gain votes.

"It is the same as those who gathered at the international horticultural exposition the other day," the commander explained.

At the Lanna Sports Centre in Chiang Mai yesterday Sonthi spent several hours on the golf course with senior military officers and CNS members.

The only senior member who was not there was police chief General Kowit Wattana.

There are those who would like to see him removed from his job because of his "close relationship" with deposed prime minister Thaksin.