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Songkitti told reporters that any talk of another coup was a "rumour" and insisted that the armed forces had no such idea. A coup would not be good for the country, Songkitti argued, saying the armed forces' role was to protect national sovereignty.

Songkitti was asked what he thought of the scheduled phone-in talk from London by convicted former premier Thaksin Shinawatra. He said it was unclear what Thaksin wished to communicate.

The supreme commander urged the media to be more reliable and responsible in reporting, citing Salang's denial yesterday that he had ever told the media that he would surround and dislodge PAD protesters from Government House. Salang's apparent backtracking did not stop the PAD from calling for the First Army Division to intervene and protect protesters if they came under threat from Salang's men.

Meanwhile Commander of the First Army Division Lt-General Kanit Sapitak said the public should not be alarmed by troop movements starting today as these were parade drills in Bangkok in preparation for His Majesty's birthday.