Anti-Thaksin campaigner Sondhi Limthongkul shows a book to reporters upon arrival in Bangkok from Guilin, China.

His list of potential targets for defamation litigation includes Army Commander-in-Chief General Sonthi Boonyaratklin and Thai Rak Thai executive Newin Chidchob.

Speaking on his return from a holiday in Guilin, China, Sondhi strongly denied that he had fled the country to avoid arrest for allegedly offending the monarch.

"I flew out to Guilin on Friday for a rest," he said.

He said he was prepared to clear his name if the authorities charge him with lese majeste, which he said he did not commit.

"I want to remind relevant authorities that they need a court-approved summons in order to activate legal proceedings against me," he said.

He said it was unfair for Gen Sonthi to caution him over his alleged remarks while letting caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra off the hook for his inappropriate comments relating to the monarch.

Sondhi's lawyer Suwat Apaisal said his client had instructed him to file a defamation lawsuit against Newin on Tuesday.

Newin gave an interview last week accusing Sondhi of lese majeste, Suwat said.

Sondhi said he suspected the police had spread the rumour about his imminent arrest.

"This is a political game because the powers that be believe they can weaken the People's Alliance for Democracy [PAD] if I am removed," he said.

Thaksin's cronies were misreading the situation, he said, adding that the bullying tactics will fan anti-Thaksin sentiment.

Suriyasai Katasila, a PAD leader, said he understood Gen Sonthi's concerns because the military commander was responsible for peoples' safety.

But he added: "He should be cautious because people with ill-will may use [his comments] as political capital to attack their opponents.

"So far, he has been praised for his unbiased action but this time he has targeted the PAD, pressing it to review or cancel its rally. People are suspicious about his real intentions."

Suriyasai said Sonthi's comments might mislead the public about the PAD's intentions

because the general was aware

why the demonstrations were

being extended.

"Why didn't he focus on the root cause of the problem - the prime minister - and ask him to make a sacrifice for the nation and the Thai Rak Thai Party, which was behind the organised mobs at Kom Chad Luek newspaper and Manager?" he asked.