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Published on July 26, 2007

"I've served the country for a long time and will continue [my mission] until I die," Prem said shortly after presiding over an anti-graft campaign launch at Suan Amporn.

"I haven't lost my spirit. I'm determined to work for the country," he said, adding that he wanted political peace to return to the country.

He refused to comment on whether he would sue leaders of the Democratic Alliance Against Dictatorship (DAAD) after Sunday's violent protest outside his home.

Prem was speaking to reporters for the first time since the anti-coup demonstrators clashed with police on Sunday.

The protesters had gathered to call on Prem to resign, alleging that the Privy Council chief, rather than General Sonthi Boonyaratglin, was the real leader of the September 19 coup.

Prem said he was not concerned about a plan by some former key members of the disbanded Thai Rak Thai Party to join a birthday party for deposed premier Thaksin Shinawatra to be held in London.

It was a personal matter for them, he added.

Meanwhile, Sonthi insisted that the junta would impose tough measures on protesters if they tried to repeat a rally like the one held on Sunday.

Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont also warned that the DAAD protesters would not be allowed to move from Sanam Luang. Otherwise they would face legal action, he said.

Surayud refused to comment on whether Thaksin was behind the DAAD protest, but he said no evidence had so far linked him to the violence.