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Adding to growing tension were claims that either Thaksin Shinawatra or his ex-wife Pojaman would return to Thailand next month.

The People's Alliance for Democracy issued a statement yesterday calling for a mass anti-government rally this Sunday, just hours after the latest bomb attack against its members.

"The PAD leaders agreed unanimously to mobilise a large crowd of supporters at Government House on Sunday for the 'final offensive' before moving to Parliament to end the use of power by the government of the puppet, who is a murderer," the group said, alluding to PM Somchai Wongsawat.

The new effort is aimed at "making the final onslaught, stopping the use of powers by the tyrant government of the puppet murderer, and bringing down the House that is serving the Thaksin regime," said Sondhi Limthongkul, one of the core PAD leaders.

The rally will take place on the same day as a mass gathering at Suan Kaew Temple, where Thaksin again is scheduled to address his supporters via satellite.

Either Thaksin or Pojaman might return from exile on or before December 25, People Power Party MP Pracha Prasopdee claimed yesterday.

The claims fuelled tension, which rose significantly after a bomb blast killed one person and injured 26 at Government House. The attack is seen as a sign of the start of a new phase of political violence.

"Just carefully monitor Thaksin's phone-in on December 13 and see what will happen on December 25 when someone is supposed to arrive on a Thai Airways flight from Hong Kong at 9.45am," Pracha said.

Pracha said Thaksin's opponents should respect the justice system, otherwise the situation might trigger more bloodshed.

If Thaksin returns, the authorities are obligated to arrest and send him to jail but before doing that, they should take precautions because a large number of supporters will turn up to rally behind him, he said.

He said he saw no reason why Thaksin would not be willing to serve his jail term.

If the country is to overcome its political predicament, all sides should support legislation granting amnesty to rival camps, he said, arguing that this should be fast-tracked.

The amnesty would allow a fresh start for all sides, including the PAD, and would be the only hope for overcoming turmoil, he said.

The explosion near the PAD's main stage in the wee hours of yesterday caused injuries to 26 protesters at the rally site inside the compound.

One died in hospital and two were still in serious condition last night.

The PAD expressed regret for the latest loss of life and extolled the victim, 48-year-old Chon Buri resident Jenkit Kladsakhon, as a hero.

The statement said that after the recent blasts at the rally site, PAD core leader Chamlong Srimuang had sent written requests for agencies such as the police and military "to help stop killings of people in the city centre", but that the appeal proved to be fruitless.

The PAD said that with the increase in serious threats to the safety of its protesters, it could no longer continue with a peaceful protest at the current site.

Prime Minister Somchai said he saw no reason for the PAD to hold its protest at Parliament. He warned the group against inciting violence, saying police would be deployed to maintain law and order.

Somchai later said Deputy Prime Minister Olarn Chaiprawat would be caretaker prime minister during his trip to Peru for the Apec summit. He left for South America yesterday.