PPP's key faction rally behind PM Somchai

The statement was endorsed by MPs from Isaan Pattana faction, seen as a key ally of Somchai. It was circulated right before the prime minister made a televised speech in the afternoon vowing to carry on his work and distancing his government from the crackdown on protesters.

MP Piraphan Palusuk said four top military commanders from the three wings of the armed forces, including Army chief General Anupong Paochinda, had gone overboard in airing critical views of the government during the evening news programme aired by Channel 3 on Thursday.

"I understand that the top commanders were supposed to talk about border tensions with Cambodia and I don't know how the interview veered off," he said.

He said the commanders had overstepped their jurisdiction as sanctioned by the Constitution.

He called on the people to oppose the seizure of power in any shape or form.

He said the prime minister made a great sacrifice to remain in office in order to safeguard democracy because some ill-intentioned people wanted to do away with the elected government.

Should Somchai resign, there will be attempts to install a non-elected government, he said.

He said his fellow MPs did not act in defiant of the military but they wanted all sides to act within their respective constitutional duties.

MP Amnuay Klangpha said all sides should wait for the fact-finding report of the independent committee before drawing conclusion on the violent crackdown.

Amnuay said he was confident that the government could continue to function and would not become a lame duck.