Prem said he would not give any interviews when asked what he thought of the call by the People's Alliance for Democracy for a royally appointed prime minister to replace caretaker premier Thaksin Shinawatra.

Prem addressed the Chulalongkorn University seminar on the importance of ethics for university graduates, saying it was difficult to foster ethics among people.

Ethics and morality could be learned and fostered through reduction of greed, Prem said. He stressed the importance of everyone knowing they owed a debt to the nation.

"Good graduates should consider the interest of the public before that of personal interest and return the debt of honour they owe to the motherland."

Also at the seminar, Sumet Tantivechakul, a close aide of His Majesty the King, refused

to comment. When journalists asked what might be a way out of the impasse, Sumet said: "You should exit through the door."

Chulalongkorn University president Suchada Kiranand said His Majesty was the last resort for Thais, but people should also consider whether they were disturbing him through a call for a royally appointed premier.

Pravit Rojanaphruk

The Nation