Charter rewrite to plunge country into crisis: Thirayuth

"The conflict might not be intense but will be a prolonged struggle with the potential to intensify as time goes on," he said.

Thirayuth warned that leading figures involved in the 2006 seizure of power might team up with the People's Alliance for Democracy to oppose the constitutional changes.

"I am worried that if street protests erupt again for a prolonged period of time, there might be the socalled mini coup as soldiers are split on whether to intervene," he said, in reference to certain military commanders staging a lightning coup without mass mobilisation of troops.

Recurring military interventions happen in other countries subscribing to populist policies and this could happen in the Kingdom, he said.

Although he was heartened that Army chief General Anupong Paochinda had dismissed a new round of military intervention, the rivalry over the charter rewrite could inflame the situation to trigger a coup, he said.

He voiced regrets that rival sides failed to heed the advice of elder figures in society, saying that Thais seem to forget an adage - those walking behind elders don't get bitten by dogs.

In regards to the fate of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, Thirayuth said certain individuals would never be satisfied with the outcome of the judicial review on cases involving Thaksin. The important point is that society should respect the judicial opinions, otherwise the turmoil will persist and there is no mechanism left to arbitrate the conflict, he said.

Thirayuth said the charter would be amended in due course in order to improve the system of checks and balances but this should not happen by a government flexing its majority might.

In his assessment, he portrayed the Samak Sundaravej government as stillborn and jinxed and was running the country by black magic to illustrate his point that many government politicians were politically expired but installed in power by riding on the wave of Thaksin's popularity.

He said the word "nominee" did not accurately depict the puppet government.

People Power Party spokesman Kuthep Saikrajang said Thirayuth liked to coin words for dramatic effect but had no academic substance.

Kuthep said he could understand Thirayuth's pessimistic views, but rejected his false allegation that the Samak government was the embodiment of evil. Thirayuth made the accusation without any evidence to back up his remarks, he added.