BANGKOK - THAILAND'S government on Tuesday warned activists not to take to the streets amid mounting speculation that exiled premier Thaksin Shinawatra is planning his return to the kingdom.

Mr Thaksin has not confirmed any date for his return, but a website run by his supporters claimed the deposed premier would arrive in Bangkok on Thursday and urged crowds to gather at the airport to greet him.

Opponents of Mr Thaksin have also threatened to take to the streets after his return if the new elected government tries to interfere in corruption cases against him.

His allies in the People Power Party won elections in December, raising expectations that Mr Thaksin would come home.

The new government said on Monday it had restored Mr Thaksin's diplomatic passport, which the military had taken away, in a move widely seen as setting the stage for his homecoming.

With speculation swirling through Bangkok, Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej downplayed concerns over Thaksin's return and urged his supporters not to flock to the airport to greet him.

'I urge people not to go to welcome Mr Thaksin in large numbers. Let him return in a normal way. I don't think it's good if large crowds turn out. That will make people jealous of Thaksin and will not solve any problems,' Mr Samak said.

Straight to court

Interior Minister Chalerm Yubamrung said that if Mr Thaksin returned, he would go directly to court to hear corruption charges filed by military-backed investigators.

Mr Chalerm said it would be up to the court to decide whether to grant Mr Thaksin bail.

He also warned Mr Thaksin's rivals that they could be charged with obstruction of justice if they tried to block his efforts to defend himself in court.

'The situation must be orderly. I warn protesters not to try to obstruct his return, otherwise it could be considered obstruction of justice,' Mr Chalerm said.

The People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD), which staged street protests that eventually led to the coup against Mr Thaksin, has already warned that it is planning new demonstrations.

But Foreign Minister Noppadon Pattama said the threat of protests would not delay Mr Thaksin's return.

'PAD's planned protests have no impact on his return. Our country is under the rule of law,' he told reporters.

'Mr Thaksin has a right to return, PAD has a right to protest. So PAD will not create conditions that our democracy cannot cope with,' he said.