"I give my word to the public that free and fair elections will be held on schedule," said Sonthi, during a two-hour session broadcast live on TV Channel 5.

The Army chief also pleaded for the public to cooperate in the fight against corruption and efforts to build reconciliation in society after the wide divisions among people who supported or opposed the  ousted leader Thaksin Shinawatra.

Sonthi also said he was aware of public criticism about the CNS' slow progress in bringing Thaksin and his politicians to justice for their alleged corruption. "I am fully aware that people are waiting for the prosecution of wrongdoers, but we have to be fair to all parties," he said.

Again, he justified the coup he led by saying that there was no other choice but a seizure of power to salvage Thailand from a "bogus democracy" under Thaksin and his practice of "capitalist dictatorship".

Representatives of eight key state agencies and special bodies were present at the Army Auditorium to brief the audience on their work in the six months since the coup.

Sak Korsaengrueng, a member of the CNS-installed Assets Examination Committee (AEC), said the committee had completed one investigation, accusing Thaksin's relatives of tax fraud, while it was looking into another six cases and concluding seven others.

He said the AEC would need no more than five months to complete all 13 cases and file them in court for prosecutions within one year.

The National Counter Corruption Commission had completed investigations into a total of 36 corruption cases against politicians linked to Thaksin, and was now probing another 10 involving other politicians, said spokesman Klanarong Chantik.

The Election Commission had now become free from political interference after the dismissal of Vasana Puemlarp, its former pro-Thaksin chairman, a few months before the coup, said incumbent chairman Suthiphon Thaveechaiygarn.