The Cabinet approved the hike requested by the Council for National Security chief General Sonthi Boonyaratglin in March, according to assistant government spokesman Natthawat Suthiyodhin.

Sonthi had asked for a 30-per-cent rise for 423 military and security officials. Earlier approval was granted for 60 and an additional 60 got a fatter cheque yesterday.

"These people have carried out their responsibilities with honesty, tolerance and dedication on weekdays and weekends for national security," Natthawat said.

The military units the 120 were attached to would pay the rise. If the sum could not be met it would be "sought from the Budget Bureau".

He could not provide a total cash figure, saying it had not been determined which 120 would get the rise.

Asked why the CNS had not paid the men out of its own Bt555 million budget Natthawat said approval had not been sought for money but for permission to increase the number entitled to "special rewards".

Among the original 423 for whom the extra pay was sought are eight CNS members, 60 officials working for it and 335 staff of the CNS special operations centre.

Cabinet approval was awarded in the absence of Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont, who is still in Japan.

Natthawat and another assistant government spokesman Netpreeya Chumchaiyo were bombarded with questions about the rises. They did not respond to why the officers deserved extra money for staging a coup. When asked why soldiers in the South did not receive more remuneration, the spokespeople replied they had.

The CNS argued earlier personnel deserved more money because they worked hard without a break or public holidays since the coup.

Natthawat insisted the increase was not approved to "please the junta". "Normally, anyone who works harder receives a higher salary," he said.