Speaking to the Japanese-language Asahi Shimbun, Sonthi defended the government against criticism it was working too slowly.

"It is because the government has taken its time to act. It is because the government has taken measures to do things properly and ensure transparency. It is different from the dictatorial administration of the former prime minister," the head of the Council for National Security (CNS) was quoted as saying in an interview published yesterday.

"I believe the public will come to understand that," he said.

Sonthi said he doubted Thaksin would return to Thailand.

"We will not stop him if he wishes to return, but I don't think he will be able to return, because of the ongoing corruption investigation against him," he told the daily.

Commenting on the CNS's reaction to Thaksin's political moves, Sonthi said Thaksin could speak his mind freely.

Sonthi yesterday met Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont to discuss organising a national merit-making ceremony on February 24. It would be held at 4pm on that day at Sanam Luang. Rites from other religions would be held at the same time, he said afterwards.

Meanwhile, Malaysia's Bernama News Agency reported Thaksin saying that despite many attempts to link his government with corruption, he believed no one would be found guilty once the cases went to court.

"Finally if it goes to the justice system, to the courts, I don't think there will be anyone guilty," he was reported as saying in an interview given to Al-Jazeera English-language television in Dubai last week and aired on Wednesday.

"We have done a lot to protect against it, but corruption has become an excuse for every coup, and some juntas in the past turn out to be more corrupt than the regimes they topple," Thaksin said.

The Nation, Agencies