The top adviser to His Majesty the King yesterday called on the military to rally behind the monarchy and the nation.

Privy Council president General Prem Tinsulanonda told professional soldiers to support King and Kingdom.

"Soldiers are like horses, and governments are jockeys but not owners. You belong to the nation and His Majesty the King," Prem said.

In delivering a lecture to 950 Chulachomklao Royal Military Academy cadets, he told them to embrace professionalism.

His remarks come during a time of national political turmoil triggered by an annulled general election and uncertain preparations for a new vote scheduled for October.

This electoral indecisiveness happened amid a power play in the armed forces as the government and its opponents tried to outwit one another.

Leaks from the government camp indicated an imminent purge of officers seen as having questionable loyalty.

Prem's message was designed to remind soldiers of their allegiance to the country.

Political and military observers viewed the lecture as a response to a June 29 statement by caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra that blamed a "charismatic figure" for transgressing the Constitution to overthrow the government.

Prem delivered his message with full military pomp as he and other senior officers donned combat uniform and the black beret of the Cavalry Corps.

Among the officers lining up behind Prem was Army Commander-in-Chief General Sonthi Boonyaratglin, reportedly slated to be promoted upstairs if Thaksin has his say.

Also present at the lecture were former military leaders, including Chavalit Yongchaiyudh, Surayud Chulanont, Oud Buangbon and Pongthep Thesprateep.

Prem began his address by portraying the military academy as a melting pot that transformed cadets into career soldiers.

"Every cadet and officer is bound together for life because we consider ourselves the offspring of the academy's founding father King Chulachomklao [Rama V]," he said.

All Chulachomklao graduates pledged allegiance to the flag of the Cadet Corps in front of the King Rama V statue, he said.

He urged soldiers to strive to do good, uphold discipline and the integrity of the uniform and serve His Majesty.

Soldiers preserve national security and protect the country far beyond the terms of any government, he said, hinting that every soldier must follow orders without compromising his service to the King.

"Every soldier should understand and distinguish the military's stance, the government's position and his service to King and country," he said.

Some governments are good, some bad, but soldiers have to serve long-term goals, not short-term gain, he said.