At odds over Patcharawat

After a 45-minute meeting with the premier at Government House yesterday on this politically sensitive issue, Suthep said there would be no replacement for Patcharawat just yet.

Earlier, Abhisit suggested a caretaker be named to oversee the national police chief's duties, in order to speed up the investigation into the April assassination attempt on Sondhi Limthongkul.

However, Suthep said it was not possible to have a caretaker national police chief while Patcharawat still held the post.

Abhisit denied he wanted to interfere in the annual reshuffle of top police officers and that this had resulted in his actions in the Patcharawat case.

"There have been some legal and other issues [regarding the annual reshuffle], and Suthep told me we should have another look at the list. It's not about me pressuring anyone on this matter," said Abhisit.

National police chief Patcharawat is due to defend himself before the National Anti-Corruption Commission tomorrow over charges of malfeasance in handling the violent crackdown on protesters last October 7.

Patcharawat is the younger brother of General Prawit Wongsuwan, the powerful defence minister, who is closely allied with army chief General Anupong Paochinda.