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Songkitti told reporters yesterday that any talk of another coup is a "rumour" and insisted that the armed forces definitely have no such idea. Coup is not good for the country, Songkitti argued, and those who kept on talking about it are like old records repeating themselves. The armed forces' role is 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's still unclear what Thaksin wished to communicate. "He may just want to greet others, that's all," the supreme commander replied.

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 the Government House. Salang's apparent backtracking didn't stop the PAD from calling for the First Army Division to intervene and protect protesters if they're under threat by Salang's men.

 The Government House, which was taken over by the PAD in August was fenced off with barbed wires yesterday, and more car tyres are being placed to protect the protest site. Security has also been beefed up and those entering and leaving the Government House compound are being searched.

The media caught up with former prime minister Surayud Chulanont and asked him about Thaksin's planned speech but got no answer, only a smile.

Government spokeman Nattawut Saigua revealed yesterday that the scheduled talk by Thaksin, which would be televised on state-controlled NBT channel, could last 20 minutes. Nattawut added that Thaksin supporters will no longer put up with the PAD.

Meanwhile Commander of the First Army Division, Lt-General Kanit Sapitak said the public should not be alarmed by troop movements starting today as the they will stage a military parade drill in Bangkok in preparation for His Majesty the King's birthday in December.

Kanit urged the two conflict groups not to further drag down the monarchy institution in their increasingly bitter feud. Asked if these groups should stop citing the monarchy to rally support and legitimise their cause, Kanit said: "[The King] is the supreme [leader] and not involved in politics. So politics shouldn't drag him into it."

In a related development, Democrat Party deputy leader Korn Chatikavanij released an open letter to Thaksin yesterday following Thaksin's letter to the Thai public insisting on his innocence in the Ratchadaphisek land scandal case. The former premier was given a two years' jail sentence by the Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Political Office Holders for conflict of interest in the procurement of the land by his wife, Khunying Pojaman Shinawatra.

"It's a shame… since, once again, you feel compelled to harm the country of your birth in order to protect and promote your own personal interests," Korn wrote. "Frankly, if you really wanted to present facts, you should provide these details yourself."

Korn urged Thaksin to leave Thailand alone so people could "clean up the mess you left us in".