His intense silence has fired rumours about 'intensive care'

Is he in ICU (Intensive Care Unit)? Or is it just some wild rumour promoted by some of his foes?

Manager Weekly today put Thaksin Shinawatra on the cover again with a simple headline: "ICU"? The story inside repeats the speculation about Thaksin's health. But some Pheau Thai MPs who claim to have met Thaksin recently insisted that the ex-premier remains in good health.

One of the reasons that has fanned this rumour is Thaksin's recent low-profile. He has stopped tweeting. He doesn't make any "phone-in" or video links to his supporters here. Very few people have seen him. PM Abhisit Vejjajiva suggested to reporters earlier this week that Thaksin might have been in Brunei. But nobody has confirmed his presence anywhere.

Most conspicuous has been Thaksin's silence after the Cambodian government announced that he had resigned as adviser to Premier Hun Sen and his critics immediately said he had in fact been fired.

His silence has been deafening. Hence the rumours.