Everyone has a constitutional right to seek advice from people they have faith and trust in, he

said.

"If they go peacefully, there should not be any problem. The Privy Council chief has always been neutral and careful in projecting himself," said Surayudh.

However, he was not sure that academics and the PAD should depend on the Privy Council president as a last resort.

"I believe the best person you can depend on is yourself," he

said.

Surayudh, a former Army chief, refused to comment on reports of a possible coup, saying he had left military circles and thus was in no position to answer.

He also dismissed concerns over the large rally planned by the PAD next Friday, saying it had yet to take place.

Speaking at a seminar on morality, ethics and good governance for audit executives at the Institute of Internal Auditors of Thailand, Surayudh said moral integrity was the key quality for leaders.

"The most important principle in managing organisations is that if the head does not nod, the tail will not wag," he said.

He called on the public to educate youth to have good morals.