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Published on August 18, 2007

"I have not met with Saprang, but I don't think his remarks were meant as a threat of resignation," Surayud said.

Saprang is concurrently a key member of the junta and assistant Army commander-in-chief, tipped as a contender to succeed General Sonthi Boonyaratglin who is scheduled for mandatory retirement in September.

Differing with Saprang's contention, Surayud said he had no knowledge of a

military tradition abroad where senior officers would resign if bypassed for promotion.

"In my experience of serving in the Army, I used to work under superior officers who had less seniority than me, and I also commanded many who had more years of military service than me," Surayud said.

He said suitability and capability were two key factors in the review for military promotion and not the years of service.

Fellow graduates from the Chulachomklao Royal Military Academy always view one another as brothers but their career paths would depend on many other factors than the class they graduated from, he said.

He voiced optimism that the new military line-up would not trigger infighting, noting that Sonthi has yet to finalise his decision on a successor.

General Anupong Paochinda, another of Sonthi's assistants, said he had no say in the appointment of the next Army chief although he wholeheartedly supported Saprang for the job.

"Military superiors are in charge of picking the new commander and I have no involvement in the matter," he said, revealing that Sonthi did not consult with subordinates about his successor.