His Majesty the King's use of a meeting with judges to convey a message about possible party dissolution showed his deep concern, National Legislative Assem-bly Speaker Meechai Ruchuphan said yesterday.

 "When the country is heading into or falls into a crisis, just think how much concern His Majesty will have to bear," he said at a seminar on the King and democracy at the United Nations office on Rajdamnoen Avenue.

The country witnessed His Majesty's address to top Supreme Administrative Court judges, who were granted an audience on Thursday night to present the monarch with a gown commemorating his 60-year reign.

His Majesty described decisions in the electoral-fraud trials of the Thai Rak Thai and Democrat parties due next Wednesday as "highly important" and possessing the potential to cause trouble no matter how they turn out.

"His Majesty is not able to speak [due to his status] his opinions as we all can. We have many channels. His Majesty does not, although he is more concerned about the situations than us," Meechai said.

His Majesty's expression of concern shows that trouble caused by his subjects makes trouble for him, he added.

Meechai said others had interpreted His Majesty's message in various ways, but he saw five points.

The current political crisis is troubling His Majesty and the electoral-fraud rulings will affect the whole country, no matter what they are.

Some will accept them and others not.

His Majesty wants judges to deliver brave and honest rulings, he said.

After the rulings, those involved must explain them and convince people to accept them.

His Majesty was wishing the country the best of luck, Meechai said.

Meanwhile, former prime minister Anand Panyarachun said there was no monarch as closely in touch with the people as His Majesty. Critical foreigners should not judge this country using their own standards.

Anand said His Majesty always remained neutral. He has powers not granted by a constitution but through his goodness and work for the people and the country.