He insisted he would never has such a person on his team.

On Thursday, the police arrested Colonel Nattaporn Chaithongkham along with a civilian Attaphan Maneechotewichanat, for using the name of CNS secretarygeneral General Winai Phattiyakul to ask for Bt40 million from Panatthana Tamprateep, editor and owner of the Kha Phandin Siam newspaper in exchange for a ministerial seat.

Nattaporn, attached to the Supreme Command Headquarters, claimed he was a Winai's "close aide" and a headhunter searching for people to join the Cabinet.

Panatthana said the two men told him he was a "favourite choice" and would get into the Cabinet if he gave Bt40 million to back the candidacy.

However, the recent Cabinet reshuffle saw no fresh faces in the new lineup although he had paid the money.

Winai strongly denied knowing the suspects.

 Both suspects denied fraud charges. Nattaporn used his position to secure bail. Attaphan placed 100,000 baht bail.

Sonthi warned the public to be aware of a number of people who had illegally claimed that they worked for the CNS in order to do mischief.

Supreme Commander Gen Boonsang Niempradit said he did not believe any CNS leaders would back Colonel Nattaporn to ask for the bribe.

However, the case would not make the public lose faith in the CNS as it was conducted by individuals, he said.

The Nation