That's how they get the information or quotes they need for their news broadcasts or newspapers. But what if they keep getting the same answers to the same questions? And worse still, from the same source they have been talking to. If you think the media, which thrive on breaking news, would have nothing to do with worn-out comments, you are probably wrong.

Sometimes, it's not the content that counts. A lot depends on the spin of the headline to make an old story jump off the page. So it's no surprise that some of the most recent prominent headlines stemmed more from questions than answers. There are two questions that stand out: 

Will there be another coup?

You can bet on it. Every time Gen Sonthi Boonyaratglin, chairman of the Council for National Security (CNS) runs into journalists, this is one question he has no escape from. It doesn't matter that he has never deviated from the same answer he gave when the country was hit with the so-called "counter-coup" rumours a few months back; reporters still consider it a "must ask question" today.

And if you think the answer of "no" from the Army chief is anything but newsworthy - especially if it has been repeated dozens of times over the months - you are wrong. A quick look at some of the headlines that amount to the same meaning: "Gen Sonthi dismisses counter-coup rumours", "Gen Sonthi rules out another coup", "Big Bang (Gen Sonthi's nickname) squashes coup rumours", and "Coup is impossible, says Gen Sonthi".

So for the past few months, the public has been fed every possible version of the negative answer. But one question the media have not really tried to find an answer to is where the rumours come from. If they have done their homework well enough, they should know that another coup is next to impossible.

While there might been rumblings among some generals who feel they have not been given the spoils they deserve for their role in the September-coup, they are far from being a threat to the CNS - let alone coup-makers.

So it is understandable if Gen Sonthi is sometimes irritated by the question. But he has to be given credit for keeping his cool and patiently answering questions about the rumour every time it is raised. Over time, the general seems to have got more ingenious with his answers - as if realising the media need catchy headlines.

These are the headlines we have seen more recently: "Who will do it? Gen Sonthi asks" and "Stop dreaming about it, Gen Sonthi says".

The wording may have changed but the meaning is the same. But for the record, did we ever hear of a general admitting he was plotting a coup?

Will Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont be sacked? Again, it's Gen Sonthi who has to face this question from reporters almost every day. And again, he can't but give the same "no" answer. As the CNS chairman, Gen Sonthi is the only person who has the power to remove the prime minister. So we can't totally blame reporters for putting the general on the spot whenever he walks into their ambush.

This is another classic case where what may appear to be something trite can be newsworthy. That's why, for the past few months, we have been reading such headlines as "Gen Sonthi has no plans to replace Surayud", "Sonthi no to removing Surayud", "Gen Sonthi still supports Surayud", and "Sonthi sticks with Surayud".

But the headlines are just the tip of the iceberg. And the media have left much to be desired when it comes to getting to the bottom of things.

While Sonthi may be the most powerful man in the country, he has no choice but to treat Surayud with deference. Don't forget that the CNS chairman was almost on his knees begging his former military boss to take over the premiership in the aftermath of the coup.

And because of their boss-subordinate relationship dating back to their service time in the Lopburi-based Special Forces, it's simply unimaginable that Sonthi will have the temerity to ask Surayud to step down. Yes, there may be some frustrations with the Surayud government's slow pace of progress, but don't expect Sonthi to change horses in mid-stream - certainly not without the blessing of Gen Prem Tinsulanonda, chairman of the Privy Council and undeniably the man behind-the-scenes.

So if the media needed a more exciting headline to convey the same meaning, Gen Sonthi gave them one last week. "Not even a thought," the ever-smiling general shot back when confronted with the question. And the quote was splashed across the front page of many dailies the next morning as if it signified something new.

As the country continues to be mired in political uncertainties, with the looming court decision on the fate of the Thai Rak Thai and Democrat parties and the possibility of the constitution draft being rejected in a referendum, while the former prime minister steps up his political manoeuvring from exile, we can be sure that these two questions will not easily go away.

And we can be sure that the real answers - if they are actually real - will come not from the mouth of whoever is asked the questions but from reality itself.

Thepchai Yong