National Legislative Assembly (NLA) member Wissanu Krea-ngam said the measure was not too tough, because Thai-Singaporean relations had different levels and dimensions.

Defence permanent secretary General Winai Phattiyakul said overall relations between the two armed forces were not affected by the diplomatic bickering.

"I think we have an absolute right to show our neighbour there is something wrong with its behaviour, but the move was not anything major and will not affect bilateral military ties," he said.

Prominent NLA member Suchit Boonbongkarn said Thailand's abolition of high-level diplomatic cooperation with Singapore would not hurt long-term bilateral relations.

The measure is simply a signal from the Foreign Ministry, particularly since only exchanges at the bureaucratic level were being cancelled, said Suchit.

He pointed out that Singapore was also strict with freedom of expression, particularly regarding criticism of the government, and hence should understand Thailand, too.

Meanwhile, Prathumporn Wacharasathien, an NLA member and spokeswoman for the International Affairs Committee, said the committee would meet with senior officials at the Foreign Ministry to gather more information.

She added that launching such a measure was a sensitive issue and a decision on whether such an action was right or wrong should not be rushed into.

Former Foreign Minister Prasong Soonsiri said Thailand had an absolute right to issue the measures, because Singapore had allowed Thaksin, a former politician, to use its territory to attack the Thai government. "I don't mind what Thaksin did or said. I'm talking about a friendly country that allowed him to make statements against Thailand," he said.

To prevent a recurrence, the Thai Foreign Ministry should assign its ambassadors to explain the status of Thaksin to their assigned countries. Embassies should be informed that Thaksin should be treated like any ordinary citizen now that he was one.

Meanwhile, Interior Minister Aree Wongsearaya said he believed the government's measures against Singapore would not exacerbate domestic problems in Thailand.

"The Thai government has deliberated very carefully before deciding on the matter. It will not increase problems caused by undercurrent groups in Thailand," he said.