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Aree and two ministers - ICT minister Sitthichai Pookaiyaudom and deputy Commerce minister Oranuj Osatananda were found hold more than five per cent shareholding in private companies. Sitthichai announced to quit on Friday while, Pranuj announced to resign Sunday.

Aree said Sunday that he has no plan to quit from the post saying that he will wait Prime Minister Surayud Chualanont to return to the country.

"When the premier come back I will consult with him," he said.

He also talked about a criticism from PM's office minister Thirapat Serirangsan who call on the resignation from the alleged ministers.

"I did not doubt him. I have no comment about a relationship between Thirapat and the People Alliance for Democracy. People can judge it," he said.

Thirapat called on three ministers to quit, his criticism made Oranuj unhappy. She said in an press conference Sunday that she was uncomfortable to work with the team that shows divided thinking. This government shows some signs of problems as members criticised others.

Democrat party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva Sunday called on remaining minister who undecided to resign to reviews its decision.

He said in his article entitled: stake of minister, one year after the coup and new army chief that the administration is continue even some minister quit.

He said he did not think the National Counter Corruption Commission found ministers held stakes in companies in excess of the 5 per cent is a politics matter.

Democrat secretary-general Suthep Thaugsuban said the government is facing troubling especially the Interior minister who is under a criticism and has to many questions from social.

"I think he [Aree] may want a time to think but he did not yet to show. Yet, if let this case to go on it is not benefit to him," he said.

Suthep said Aree also faced a conflict of interest from his son who is take side in deposed prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

"What ever he said people hard to believe him," Suthep added.

People Power party leader Samak Sundaravej said it is a test of law and Aree after he insisted that he would not resign.

Thai News Agency quoted Surayud as speaking upon his arrival in New York to attend a UN assembly that he would consult Sitthichai and other people involved before deciding whether to reshuffle his Cabinet or not.

Meanwhile, most people want the ministers who involved with scandal to resign, according to the results of the Abac Poll released Sunday.

46.21 per cent of respondents said the ministers should resign from the government, while 28.8 said the minister should going to work and 25.0 per cent had no comment.

However, almost 50 per cent (48.5) of respondents said the holding more than five per cent stakes in private companies of cabinet members is affect to the government image in moral, while, 35.9 per cent said it will not affect and 15.6 of respondent said they had no comment.

The survey covered 1,464 residents of Bangkok and surrounding provinces on September 21-22.

The Nation