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Published on December 28, 2007

Army chief General Anupong Paochinda led well-wishers to meet privately with Deputy Prime Minister Sonthi Boonya-ratglin, who declined to talk to reporters afterwards.

Anupong later joined the senior commanders from the three armed forces to wish Defence Minister Boonrawd Somtas a Happy New Year.

Defence permanent secretary General Winai Phattiyakul led the group.

"The interim government has successfully steered the country into the December 23 election and soldiers have abided by the outcome and will remain in their barracks," Boonrawd said in appreciation for the top commanders lending him their cooperation under his leadership. He urged the military to heed His Majesty the King's message repeated no less than five times in a month on the virtues of unity, honesty, reconciliation and pu tting the country above everything else.

The interim government had completed its mission and he had no more concerns about what follows.

"From now on, soldiers will focus on safeguarding national security and politicians will be responsible for forming a government," he said.

Reprisals were also not a concern as the military had done what was deemed appropriate, he said, adding that any return of political meddling in military affairs would depend on interactions between soldiers and their political overseers.

He backtracked from his earlier support for a Democrat coalition, saying he was trying to express his personal views but his comments were interpreted as speaking in his official capacity.

Even if turmoil re-emerged next year, he did not foresee another military intervention.

"The coup is the last resort to prevent a situation from spiralling out of control and the key to preventing a seizure of power is to hold the situation in check before it degenerates to a critical level," he said.

 The Nation