General Sonthi Boonyaratglin said he never forgets favours from other people. He had thanked Thaksin for nominating him as Army chief before the royal endorsement by His Majesty the King.

Sonthi said he had never lobbied for any positions.

Thaksin had passed a message to Sonthi through his lawyer Noppadon Pattama, telling him not to forget their good relationship from before he was appointed Army chief.

Meanwhile, acting Thai Rak Thai leader Chaturon Chaisang slammed Sonthi for his speech on Saturday in which he attacked the party and its former leader Thaksin Shinawatra.

Chaturon accused Sonthi of making allegations against the party on a number of different issues before various scrutinising agencies had been able to complete their work. That could interfere in or influence the agencies' work, he claimed.

Chaturon said Sonthi might have read a speech written by others to legitimise the coup on September 19. However, he might not have considered that it could put the wrong emphasis on democratic values by legitimising the military's seizure of power without proper investigation of the ousted administration.

Chaturon said Sonthi's speech might also have interfered in the drafting of the constitution.

But he did not believe Sonthi would pursue his own personal interests or seek to prolong the power of the CNS.

Sonthi attacked Thaksin on many issues, including his decision to dissolve Parliament without good cause, his announcement to take a break from politics and the "second share concealment" accusation relating to Thaksin's share transaction involving his children and the Shinawatra and Damapong families during the Shin Corp sale.

Panya Thiewsangwan,

Kesinee Jaikawang

The Nation