An anti-Thaksin teachers' leader who asked not to be named yesterday said 15 pro-Thaksin teachers' leaders from the Northeast arrived in Bangkok to meet with CNS leaders at the office of a military agency.

The CNS asked for their opinions on the coup on September 19 and on how the teachers would like to reconcile the country, which is split on Thaksin's capabilities as a leader.

A high-ranking Army officer told them the CNS was concerned about groups that oppose the CNS. They include some teachers and students, many of whom come from the Northeast.

The military leader said these groups alleged the coup makers were not neutral in their role as they harboured a conflict of interest, being at odds with Thaksin, the source said. A pro-Thaksin teacher told the CNS to return to their base, restore the 1997 Constitution with some amendments and let the National People's Assembly select charter drafters immediately.

The CNS had to restore democracy to the people by January, he told them. Elections should be held by the end of February.

The slower the CNS works, he said, the more likely people would rise to oppose them.

If that happens, the situation could spin out of control, he warned.

The pro-Thaksin teachers' meeting with the CNS yesterday included Sukchai Sawangnam from Amnat Charoen, the source said.

The teachers had rallied in support of a move to put the transfer of teachers under local administrative bodies.

Anti-Thaksin groups later began a campaign to block the move.

Sukchai joined the Caravan of the Poor, taxi drivers and other supporters of Thaksin in pro-Thaksin rallies, he said.

Anti-Thaksin teachers' leaders including Auychai Watha and Somyong Kaewsupan were not called to join the meeting, the source said.

Suchat Sungruang

The Nation

Amnat Charoen