"I presented flowers to the prime minister to cheer him up in light of many problems requiring him to make difficult decisions," Suthep said.

Given such circumstances, the public should rally behind Surayud, who was an honest man willing to serve and steer the country out of political turbulence, he said.

Suthep said he reminded Surayud that the appointment of Somkid Jatusripitak last week as an economic envoy had alienated many government supporters.

He said he was relieved after the prime minister assured him there was no ulterior motive behind Somkid's appointment.

"I was told that the government wanted him to explain the economic situation to foreigners and Somkid happened to qualify to draw comparison between 'Thaksinomics' and sufficiency economy theory," he said.

During the meeting, Surayud asked him to convey his best regards to party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva and party chief adviser Chuan Leekpai, he said.

The prime minister also said he had no intentions to groom Somkid as a military "puppet" to head a new government after the next general election, he said.

The Democrat Party had been in existence for more than 60 years and would not be intimidated by competition from Somkid should he decide to form a party and run in a free and fair vote, Suthep said.