Theerachai Saenkaew and Vichai Chaijitvanichakul reported to Maj-General Saksith Klansanoh, director of the Udon Thani provincial peacekeeping authority, yesterday and later told reporters that their meetings had gone smoothly.

Theerachai said he had no plans to abscond and knew some provincial military figures personally.

"We must wait and see what the new regulations are. The coup leaders are speeding things up, and I hope it will come out as they have promised," he said, adding that a meeting of more than five persons could in fact take place if they informed the military authorities in advance so that the latter could dispatch an observer.

Saksith said the local media had been cooperating well by presenting news and opinions in a way that would lead to the quick return of peace. He urged people with differing views to refrain from sending SMS text messages or making live telephone calls to television stations because "people with malicious intentions could exploit them to create social division that might lead to confrontation".

A number of community radio stations in the province have been ordered to closedown, while those still operating have been instructed to air more programmes about His Majesty the King's philosophy of economic self-sufficiency, play the national anthem at 8am, foster social unity, promote morality and fight consumerism.

The provincial military authorities yesterday summoned 20 representatives of Sa Kaew media outlets and briefed them about the guidelines for news reporting during the transition to a civilian government.

It was one of many taking place across the country to seek the cooperation of media professionals in refraining from sensationalising the news.

"The Council for Democratic Reform under Constitutional Monarchy expects media professionals to assist in healing social divisions," said Sa Kaew provincial Army commander Colonel Watchara Satayawongthip.

Watchara said the reporting guidelines were designed to achieve four objectives: factual information, a climate of understanding, public calm and social unity.