"Civil servants must heed the royal advice on righteousness and act in an unbiased manner towards political parties," he told reporters after filing a petition with the Civil Service Commission. The petition was sponsored by the Network of Civil Society Groups against the Thaksin Regime, referring to caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

"The bureaucracy will lose credibility if civil servants become inured to cronyism imposed on them by politicians," Sangsit said, quoting the petition.

Army chief General Sonthi Boonyaratglin was a role model for resisting political intervention in the military line-up, he said.

Even though politicians oversee agencies, bureaucrats have the right to oppose favouritism, which could undermine good governance and eventually bring down the civil service, the petition said.

It expressed moral support for officials who uphold professional principles rather than bend to the political winds.

Businessman-cum-activist Prasarn Maruekpitak said more civil servants were chosing to do the right thing instead of bowing to questionable orders.

In the most recent case, Orajit Singkalavanich, director-general of the Business Development Department, rose to the challenge and ruled that Kularb Kaew Co was a foreign nominee in the purchase of Shin Corp, said Prasarn, chairman of the Businessmen Association for Democracy.

Orajit stood by her decision despite the wrath of Thaksin, whose family fortune was at stake, he said.