The return of Gen Chavalit Yongchaiyudh to Pheau Thai Party was said to have taken place after the two had talked directly through  a web-cam facility.

Thaksin badly needed a "head" at his party. Chavalit was looking for a political role to play. It didn't take them long to come to an agreement that Chavalit would become "chairman" of the party while officially Yongyuth Vichaidit remains the official party leader. Chairman of the Party's Advisory Board  is former Army Chief Gen Chetta Thanajaro.

During their discussions, Chavalit offered Thaksin to set the stage for reconciliation, having told the ex-premier that the "old way" of  trying to win at all cost wouldn't improve things.On the contrary, the situation will only get worse.

Chavalit was said to have told Thaksin that he would reach out to the military leaders, with whom he still holds close ties, at least at certain level, so that some sort of reconciliation between Thaksin and the army brass could take place.

The possibility of direct patching-up talks between Thaksin and Gen Prem Tinsulanonda, the Privy Council's president, is remote.

Thaksin was told that Chavalit couldn't promise to make things happen overnight. But if Thaksin tones down his aggressive approach, perhaps a gradual process of reconciliation with both the political and military establishments could get started.

Thaksin, who has been "headhunting" for a "real party leader" to head Pheau Thai in the new election, more or less accepted Chavalit's proposed formula without any preconditions.

But then they both know that things could get worse before they get better. Despite Thaksin's confident rhetoric, he realizes that his bargaining power could dwindle with the passage of time. Even a Pheau Thai's victory in the next election can't guarantee that he can come home as a free man any time soon.

Chavalit knows he can't produce magical results either. But then, he also knows that Thaksin is clutching at straws politically. At least, he can expect some reasons reward for services rendered. This isn't a political underwriting deal. He can only offer a "best-effort" pledge.