It will be the first time the interim premier has joined the programme, which has been broadcast every Saturday on Channel 11 and FM 92.25 since shortly after the interim government took office.

Yongyuth said Surayud would answer questions in addition to reporting about his recent work, including the Asean summit in the Philippines.

The prime minister will today lunch with eight newspaper columnists and exchange views, Yongyuth said.

Junta did not order news ban: govt

The Council for National Security (CNS) did not tell broadcasters to stop reporting about deposed premier Thaksin Shinawatra, a minister insisted yesterday.

The junta does not censor or control the news, Prime Minister's Office Minister Thirapat Serirangsan said.

"The CNS has told the media not to promote Thaksin and it did not need to notify the government or seek approval from the government to do this,'' the minister said.

Reports say the CNS threatened to pull the plug on broadcasters that aired reports on Thaksin.

Thirapat said the government would ask the CNS to review its stand. He said the CNS wanted the media to be neutral and had not told broadcasters not to report on Thaksin.

Article 34 of the interim charter gave the CNS power to ask the media to help maintain order, Thirapat said.