Reporters on the prime minister's beat were at a loss yesterday when interim PM Surayud Chulanont left his Lat Krabang home early in the morning without speaking to the press or making any other public announcements about his plans for the weekend.

Surayud left his home at 7am, with his military aide de camp telling reporters he didn't know where the premier was going or would be spending the night.

This is in stark contrast to deposed premier Thaksin Shinawatra, who would normally address the nation through his Saturday radio talk show and reporters to seek reactions from opposition politicians.

"The premier wanted to have a private time engaging in merit-making and rest over the weekend because he has to work hard [on weekdays]," the aide said.

Meanwhile, die-hard Thai Rak Thai Party executives who have yet to abandon ship responded to speculation about the new cabinet line-up by saying leading members of the anti-Thaksin People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) should be appointed as members.

Veera Musikapong, a leading member of Thai Rak Thai, said by doing that the public would understand the link between the PAD and the coup-makers, as they were one and the same.

"Today, it has become clearer about who has done what over the past eight months ... and how the division of labour [under the plan to oust Thaksin] works. It's normal that those who succeed in overthrowing others will replace those who have been overthrown," said Veera.

Deputy Thai Rak Thai leader Pongthep Thepkanchana said less than 100 prominent party members had resigned so far, and that upcountry no more than 10 ordinary members had done so.

"It means the party is still in existence," he said, adding that all departments of the party were still functioning normally.

With the interim government's ban on political gatherings in place, new party leaders cannot be elected to replace Thaksin, but by seniority, Khunying Sudarat Keyuraphan is the first deputy leader and de facto acting party leader, Pongthep said.

Deputy Thai Rak Thai spokesman Chatuporn Promphan said the party would consult tomorrow with remaining key members about the position of acting party leader with either Sudarat or Chaturon Chaisang as a possible new caretaker leader.

In a related development, Suriyasai Katasila, the secretary-general of the Campaign for Popular Democracy, said he was disappointed with five prospective new cabinet members as they were former bureaucrats without vision and that some were former Thaksin supporters.

He said he wanted the interim premier to review the Interior, Agriculture, Communications, Foreign and Energy portfolios.

"I'm afraid the new government will isolate itself and will not be able to integrate other social forces to help solve political problems," he said.

Suriyasai also suggested that an additional ministerial-level appointment attached to the Prime Minister's Office be created to handle the ongoing violence in the deep South.