Wife of Thailand's deposed Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra met yesterday with Privy Council President Prem Tinsulanonda, the King Bhumibol Adulyadej's top adviser, amid speculation that she is seeking to secure her husband's smooth return to Thailand from self-imposed exile abroad.

According to Thai News Agency, the former first-lady of Thailand, Pojaman Shinawatra, accompanied by her elder brother Bannapot Damapong, spent only 15 minutes with Prem, a leading statesman in Thai political arena at his Bangkok residence late Thursday morning.

Thai media quoted sources as saying that the brief meeting was brokered by General Oud Buangbon, a member of the National Legislative Assembly and close aide to Prem.

Pojaman and her brother were seen sitting in Oud's vehicle and made no remark to waiting reporters on their way in or out of Prem's residence.

Pojaman was believed to have sought help from Prem in an effort to secure the homecoming of her husband. Prem enjoys high respect and is believed to have great influence among the military leaders, including army chief Sonthi Boonyatkalin who led the Sept. 19 coup ousting Thaksin.

According to Bangkok-based news network The Nation, which quoted Oud recounting the brief conversation, Prem asked after the health of the former prime minister and his wife. Pojaman told him that Thaksin is fine, who exercises daily, plays golfs and stays with his daughter. She then gave an account of her latest activities.

Prem was said to have told Pojaman to "be strong and persevere," and that "It is inevitable for any leaders to lose power some day." Pojaman replied by saying that "I have braced myself for this some time ago."

Pojaman, considered as influential figure behind former prime minister Thaksin and his Thai Rak Thai party, returned from London last Wednesday, where she joined her husband after the coup, to declare the family's assets to the National Counter Corruption Commission (NCCC).

The interim government and its military advisor, the Council for National Security (CNS) led by Sonthi, have opposed Thaksin's planned return before the martial law is lifted, arguing that his return might pose serious threats to the national stability as his supporters might create political confrontations in the country.