Party caretaker leader Chaturon Chaisang told a press conference that although the CNS had later softened its stance and said it only sought cooperation from the media, it had threatened to seek a meeting with each media outlet that did not cooperate.

"This is a violation of press freedom and transgresses the interim constitution, as well as Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont's address on national policy. The CNS is controlling the media to become like state media,'' he said.

Democrat Party spokesman Ong-art Klampaiboon warned the CNS over its threat to use a "hard stick" against bomb suspects and school arsonists, as well as the media.

He said that although the CNS used the term "seeking cooperation'', its actions could be interpreted as using a "hard stick" on everyone.

"The CNS has to use a hard stick only with certain groups that are the slaves of the old power. If it does not single out but uses the stick on everyone, innocent media members will be adversely affected. That is dangerous and the CNS will face negative consequences,'' he said.

Chaturon cautioned that if the CNS did not single out culprits but aimed to destroy everyone connected to the Thaksin regime, it might also destroy the Thai Rak Thai Party.

"We are a political party and have the right to carry out political activities by law. But we have been ill-treated by the state,'' he said.