Forget me not : Somchai Wongsawat

Somchai told reporters after his last Cabinet meeting, held in Chiang Mai, that he had worked to the best of his ability right up to his last day in office.

"I'm going for lunch, let the responsible people take over. I'm off-duty and am an ordinary citizen now," he said.

When asked if the political conflict would continue, Somchai said he could not make any predictions. "I don't know, it is not my responsibility," he said.

After taking a rest at his Chiang Mai residence, Somchai met reporters and said he would now do charity work.

"With powerful people telling you to stop, you have to stop. I have no regrets. I can do other things for the country. I can do charity work, and don't need any authority to do the job," Somchai said.

When asked if he had his wife Yaowapa's backing, the former PM said: "She has supported me since we married. She would never leave me. I know she supports and encourages me all the time. I also support and encourage her all the time. We don't need to say this to each other.

"I thank all media representatives. I will remain the same. Don't forget me," he said, while heading off for a game of golf with other executives of the now-defunct People's Power Party.