Speaking to reporters separately, the two former PMs urged Surayud to aim at the stated goals behind the September 19 coup, which include reconciliation of society, tackling corruption, handing power back to independent agencies and removing any threat to the monarchy by the previous administration.

Anand, who has also done major work for the UN, said: "Don't be so concerned with the international community. Don't think that everything will be fine just because there has been a personal chat with [US President George W] Bush. International diplomacy is full of protocol.

"We tend to get excited with farangs," said Anand, using a term commonly reserved for Caucasians.

His statement came just two days after Surayud held a cordial but brief meeting with Bush on the side of the Apec summit in Hanoi.

Chuan said the Council for National Security (CNS), the army leaders who appointed Surayud to his current post, should be sensitive to domestic sentiment instead of worrying about judgements from Washington.

Chuan called on the CNS and the interim government to do more to explain clearly to the people about the reasons why an authoritarian leader needed to be overthrown.

He urged the coup leaders to justify their seizure of power by spelling out what had gone wrong with the Thaksin Shinawatra regime.

"Two months have passed but the people still have no understanding about the coup," Chuan said.

He warned the CNS not to pay much attention to the cautious reaction from the United States because its real problem was how to secure public trust.

He said he understood about the time needed to prepare for the next general election and to uncover evidence of corruption.

"But in the meantime the CNS should remain in touch with the people and try to be responsive to their opinions," he said.

Anand said the pace taken by the government had been sped up.

"I understand the government is trying to resolve four issues that triggered the seizure of power, but it can work more vigorously," Anand said.

He said the international community understood the domestic situation and urged fellow Thais to focus on how to improve their political system. Relevant parties seemed to have reached a consensus that the 1997 Constitution should be the model for a new charter, he said.

In response to criticism that the Surayud government did not have much to show for its time in office, government spokesman Yongyuth Mayalarp said the regime would intensify its dissemination of news relating to its work and achievements.

"Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont will tomorrow appear before the nation in a taped broadcast summing up his participation at the Apec summit," Yongyuth said.

The prime minister was keen to visit Europe in the near future to explain the domestic situation, he said, adding the trip would be co-ordinated with Supachai Panitchpakdi, secretary-general of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development.

Meanwhile, pro-democracy activist Krongkan Suebsaihan stepped up anti-Thaksin campaigns by submitting a petition to the government calling for the former PM to be prosecuted.

"In order to end confusion, specific charges should be filed so that the people can understand who Thaksin really is," she said.

Council for National Security (CNS) assistant secretary-general Saprang Kallayanamitr dismissed a growing fear that Thaksin would get away with his past deeds.

"Don't worry about anyone eluding the law - a guilty individual can never escape his karma," Saprang said.

He said Thaksin would be judged by due process and warned the media not to try to sensationalise Thaksin's future.

"The CNS is moving ahead in its fight against corruption and chooses to proceed with caution - instead of exercising arbitrary power," he said.

The CNS remained in contact with the Assets Examination Committee and the National Counter Corruption Commission but would not interfere with corruption probes, he said.

Commenting on his working relations with national police chief General Kowit Watana, he said he might have differences with his fellow CNS member but this should not be construed as a conflict.

He refused to explain his disagreements with Kowit and insisted there were no hard feelings within the CNS.

"I think the problem lies with the individual style of work. I want to move quickly while other CNS members may prefer to work cautiously," he said.

The CNS was not concerned about Thaksin's activities and had no plans to impose travel restrictions on him, he said.

"I suspect certain media outlets were paid to print Thaksin's pictures in order to give him undue publicity," he said.

In defending the military take-over, he said the coup had happened because of the political system was flawed. "The seizure of power is like a time-out in a basketball game, giving us a chance to rectify flaws before the resumption of democracy," he said.

After Thai Rak Thai Party acting leader Chaturon Chaisang alleged last week that certain military officers were intimidating deposed politicians, he said he had telephoned Chaturon directly and asked him to reveal the names.

"I told him frankly that smears should be stopped and solicited his agreement that politicking should resume after the writing of the new constitution," he said.

Piyanart Srivalo,

Bancha Khaengkhan,

Panya Thiewsangwan

The Nation