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He quoted a source on Monday that high-ranking military officials were not satisfied with Kasit’s performance because he had failed to tackle Thai-Cambodian border disputes.

He said the military’s top brass discussed about Kasit at a golf course in Surat Thani.

Prompong also submitted a letter to Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva calling on him to conform to the two directives of the Office of the Prime Minister on the codes of ethics for political office holders by dismissing Kasit.


He said the two directives endorsed by then prime minister Chuan Leekpai and then prime minister Samak Sundaravej stipulated that PM and ministers are entitled to no right beyond those of the people.


He said if Abhisit did not comply with the directives, he could be held responsible for having violated Article 157 of the Criminal Law for dereliction of duty.
 
Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwant and Army Chief Gen Anupong Paochinda however denied the report that the military had pressured the government to sack Kasit after police last week pressed terrorism charges for his alleged involvement in last year’s seizure of international airports.

“The military has nothing to do with this. This issue concerns the Foreign Minister himself,’’ Prawit said.

Anupong said the media had to question the reporter who made the coverage which military men he meant and what he actually wanted by covering the issue.

Kasit on Sunday challenged military officials who leaked the report to the media to identify themselves and hold an open debate with him via television.

“Do not hide yourselves. I want to know which military group pressures the government to dismiss me. How many hundreds of them? I can call hundreds of thousands people who support me to come out,’’ he said.

He was responding to the report during his interview with the media in New Zealand.