Army Commander and Council for National Security chairman General Sonthi Boonyaratglin wears a Sikh head-dress while visiting a temple at Bangkok’s Wang Burapha area. Sonthi called for unity among all religions and political preferences.

Thai Rak Thai Party leader Chaturon Chaisang yesterday called on the Council for National Security to issue a resolution clarifying the political fate of Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont.

Chaturon said CNS chairman General Sonthi Boonyaratglin's recent expression of support for the prime minister was insufficient.

Sonthi had failed to end speculation that Surayud would be removed and hence it was

necessary for the CNS to convene a meeting to pass an official resolution backing the premier, he said.

Sonthi, however, brushed aside Chaturon's call for the CNS to get more involved and said his recent expression of support for the prime minister was enough.

"One has one's own opinion, but I've already made my decision regarding this," Sonthi said, after being informed of Chaturon's call for a CNS resolution on Surayud's political fate.

Chaturon said there was an impression in Thai society and the international community that there were severe internal conflicts in Thailand because the CNS had been under pressure to remove the prime minister.

"Although Sonthi affirmed a few days ago that he would not remove the prime minister, the conflicts did not end because several friends of the CNS are still calling for a new prime minister," Chaturon said.

He said Thai Rak Thai was opposed to a change of prime minister because it was too late in the interim government's term and it could damage the country.

"There is only a short time left and the new prime minister and new Cabinet will have to start from nothing, so it will be a waste of time [to replace the premier]," Chaturon said.

Surayud continued to pursue reconciliation and always listened to others, he added, noting the premier had announced he wanted to hold the next election as scheduled.

Chaturon called on the "friends of CNS" to explain why they wanted a change of prime minister.

"They should make it clear why they want a new prime minister and what benefit the change will bring the country. They should say what they want the new prime minister to do," he said.

Sonthi, however, said Surayud should be firm and unwavering amid calls for his ouster.

"I think [whether he stays or goes] depends on the prime minister himself. He must be firm and unwavering," he said when asked to respond to calls for him to remove Surayud.

He said the CNS would continue as a sort of babysitter for the government and added it had no conflicts with the Cabinet.

Sonthi said Surayud was well aware of the problems facing the country and would set his own direction for solving them over the remaining six months of his government's term.

The People's Alliance for Democracy yesterday denied that it was  pressuring Sonthi to remove Surayud as the prime minister.

Somsak Kosaisuk, one of the five PAD decision makers, said the five had not yet met and made a stand on the issue.

He said a call by Chaiwat Sinsuwong, a leading member of the PAD, for Sonthi to remove Surayud was made in the name of Chaiwat's Assembly of People from 19 north-eastern Provinces.

PAD spokesman Suriyasai Katasila said the PAD did not join groups of those who lost interest to demand Surayud's ouster as the prime minister had said.

Suriyasai said the PAD would not be dictated to by anyone or any group.