"In my lifetime, I have been targeted for criminal proceedings twice - once by the Thanom Kittikachorn dictatorship and this libel case by the Thaksin regime," he said, following his meeting with police.

Last year the prominent academic assailed Thaksin's leadership and accused his government of cronyism.

Thaksin responded with a defamation complaint.

While Thirayuth met with police yesterday, about 20 of his supporters staged a brief rally.

Thirayuth later told them he had been critical of every government over the past two decades and had not attacked any leader in particular.

He said he would release a report on the current government by the middle of this month.

In a preview of the report, he said the administration of Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont should not be described as "Old Ginger" but as "Unseasoned Turmeric" because it had failed to keep pace with Thaksin's political tricks.