Are you worried the Thai Rak Thai Party has been linked to an anti-government rally organised by PTV?

No, but I feel uneasy that I cannot make the public believe my words. However, we welcome the investigation from the Council for National Security (CNS) to find out if we were behind the rally, because I insist the Thai Rak Thai Party has no policy to support a party having its own TV channel.

We want to see an independent TV station.

Even though PTV executives are not party executives, they are party members?

Yes, but I did not support them with the rally and I also cannot prohibit them because the party cannot monitor its members. I will also not ask them to resign from the party.

Some have said the Thai Rak Thai is working behind the scenes because the party wants to create political turmoil. Is that true?

I insist the Thai Rak Thai Party does not have a policy to create violence. We will not join any violence, but try to prevent it.

I have repeated many times that we do not agree with this kind of action. So, what should I do? Should I quit the party or break it up?

Did any key member of the CNS ask you to leave the party?

No. I said right after the September 19 coup that Thai Rak Thai did not have a policy to overthrow the CNS. We want to see the new constitution that will lead the country to the next election. I do not want to see any change that makes society more divided.

Is the former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra involved with anti-coup and anti-government rallies?

I am not his lawyer [Noppadon Pattama]. It is his duty to defend Thaksin.

Do you believe that Thaksin was not involved with the rallies?

I do not have any comment because if I say "yes" then I will be blamed for protecting Thaksin. So, "no comment" is better.

Is there any chance that the current situation will lead to violence?

A small chance. It depends on the new constitution and whether the coup makers want to cling to power. The second factor is the economy. If the people feel that the government cannot improve the economy, then confusion may occur.

What do you think about the Abac poll last week that Thai Rak Thai is the most popular political party?

It confirms that the people still need the party. Anyway, I think the CNS

may find many ways to dissolve our party.

Why did you stop your recent trip to meet rural people in the North and Northeast?

Because I want to show that I do not want to cause any trouble.