• 
• 

Published on January 31, 2008

Sonthi said the telephone call was arranged by a mutual friend and had taken place before Thaksin's wife Khunying Pojaman returned to Bangkok on January 8.

"I won't say in detail what we talked about but I can say most of our conversation was an exchange of greetings and did not touch on political negotiations," he said.

He defended his September 2006 coup as necessary at the time, although he respected the people's judgement as shown by the general election outcome.

"The coup was not a waste," he said, shrugging off the fact that many ousted politicians have returned to power following the December poll.

Sonthi said he had no plans to enter politics and dismissed speculation that he might accept a ministerial position in the next three months.

"If I am to join the government, the people would look at me curiously because they wouldn't know who or what I am," he said, adding he was satisfied with the performance of the interim government - though he would leave it to the people to render their judgement on its legacy.

The armed forces are well disciplined to serve under the elected government, he said, ruling out the naming of the defence minister as an issue. He also said he was in no position to predict a repeat of the coup as he had already retired from military service.

"In my opinion, the [2006] coup could not have happened without the public's support," Sonthi said.

Anti-Thaksin activists and supporters of Sonthi's coup that deposed Thaksin yesterday expressed disappointment at the general's latest move.

The telephone conversation between Sonthi and Thaksin was a slap in the face to the Thai people, said former People's Alliance for Democracy leader Somkiat Pongpaibun.

He said Sonthi had called Thaksin because he was scared of revenge by the old power clique, as the people whom he removed from power have now returned to power.

Sonthi's attempt to mend fences with Thaksin would have negative consequences for corruption investigations by the Assets Examination Committee (AEC).

"Sonthi staged a coup but failed to solve the problems of the country, so he needs to mend fences with the old clique to prevent their revenge - and he did it without regard to the public's feelings," Somkiat said.

Campaign for Popular Democracy secretary-general Suriyasai Katasila said Thaksin would soon return to the country after both sides agree on all the issues of mutual concern.

"This is clearly a case of political collusion by people at the top. They only think of their own space. No one thinks of the country," he said.

Suriyasai said he was not surprised by Sonthi's move, because former prime minister Surayud Chulanont had signalled that they are ready to reconcile with the old power clique.

He said Sonthi seemed uneasy during the press conference. "It may be a power game played by people who have more power than Sonthi, and he has to comply."

AEC member Udom Fuangfung said he was unfazed by yesterday's revelation and would not quit before his work was done.

"The AEC will continue to do its job in a straightforward manner to create a standard for this country," he said.

AEC member Banjerd Singkaneti also said he would not quit until he completed his duties. "I am responsible enough not to jump ship. I do not care who will reconcile with whom. I will just do my job,'" he said.

The Nation