No reason for Kasit to quit his post at this stage: PM

However, Abhisit added that he was not saying Kasit would be removed from office after the Asean ministerial meeting later this month, or the Asean Summit in October.

"At this stage, we should allow Kasit to continue working. As for the justice procedure, I don't know about the exact time frame. We will have to look at the cases in detail," he said.

Kasit was summonsed for police questioning in connection with the seizure of Suvarnabhumi Airport at the end of last November. Another 35 people, most of them leaders of the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD), are among those summonsed.

Pressure is mounting for the foreign minister to step down, including a public opinion survey that showed most residents wanted him to resign in the wake of the legal action.

Abhisit said it was too early for people to demand Kasit's resignation, even though police had charged him relating to his alleged involvement in the airport seizure.

The prime minister also rejected the PAD's allegation that he and his government had interfered in the case.

The premier will not pressure Kasit to resign as the case against him is expected to take at least three months to reach court, according to a source from the ruling Democrat Party. The foreign minister would be able to stay on until at least the Asean Summit in October.

More importantly, the Democrats have been unable to find a replacement for Kasit, the source said.