"Somkid met me before announcing his resignation and I respect his decision," Surayud said.

He said Somkid made up his mind as he did not want to attract problems for the government.

Surayud said he might have to devise a new measure to secure international understanding of the country's economic direction as he would not appoint a successor.

"The idea of an economic envoy has been suspended because it hinged on Somkid and ended after his departure," he said.

Deputy Prime Minister MR Pridiyathorn Devakula said he did not need a spokesman for sufficiency economy theory and pointed out that he was in charge of communicating with foreign investors.

"No one has to assist me, ever," he said.

Democrat Party secretary general Suthep Thaugsuban said Somkid's departure would ease pressure on the government.

"If Somkid has political ambitions, he should form a party and announce a clear stand instead of acting suspiciously," Suthep said, attributing the opposition to Somkid on his past record as a key proponent of Thaksinomics.

Democrat spokesman Ong-art Klampaiboon said many people still had lingering doubts about whether Somkid had an ulterior motive in volunteering his services to the government.

Ong-art said he suspected Somkid had plans to relaunch his political career at a later date.

Democrat executive Kiarti Sithiamorn said he viewed Somkid as a controversial figure due to his track record on populist policies and extreme capitalism.

Chat Thai Party deputy leader Somsak Prissanananthakul said his party commended Somkid for heeding public sentiment.

"When the people called for his resignation, Somkid showed his willingness to listen to them; this is a good trait as a politician," Somsak said.

The People's Alliance for Democracy welcomed Somkid's exit, praising it as a good show of political spirit, spokesman Suriyasai Katasila said.

"The resignation is a good sign after society had learnt a painful lesson from ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra who tried to cling to power for too long," he said.

Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva yesterday suggested Prime Minister Surayud take a more prudent approach before making political decisions - citing Somkid's appointment as an example.

Abhisit said although Surayud had good intentions with Somkid's appointment, he should have been more sensitive to the people's feelings.

"Society has not blocked Somkid's chances, but we need time because what Somkid did in the past has to be probed first, such as the rubber saplings corruption allegation."

Constitution Drafting Committee chairman Prasong Soonsiri praised Somkid's decision to quit, saying it had helped curb political tension.

However, Surayud should not have dissolved the committee to preach sufficiency economy to the international community. Rather, he should find someone to replace Somkid.

He said former United Nations secretary-general Kofi Annan had earlier sought His Majesty the King's permission to publish the sufficiency economy for dissemination throughout the international community.

"As the government does not need to appoint anyone to seek help from the UN or have our envoys work on this, it would have saved time and energy," he said.

Piyanart Srivalo

Yossawadee Hongthong

The Nation