After being discharged from hospital with a clean bill of health yesterday, Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont said he would clarify all uncertainties surrounding his premiership today, including a news report that he wants to quit.

"For now the results of my physical examination have gone well. My body is still in good condition and won't be an obstacle to my work," Surayud said before leaving the Bangkok Hospital for home to take further rest.

He will hold a news conference after presiding over the Songkran New Year ceremony at Govern-ment House.

Surayud said he had no pain or abnormality, and made no appointment before he went to the hospital. However, during his trip to Japan early last week he thought it was time for a check-up as he hadn't had one for a long time. He could have some time to take a rest during the Songkran break.

Surayud still seemed to be exhausted yesterday, but he smiled to the media. He said he needed to clear out the food in his body to have the colon examination, so he only ate soft food over the past few days.

Surayud suffered from a colon infection eight years ago. There had been no recurrence, he said.

Meanwhile, Defence Minister Boonrawd Somtas warned yesterday that if protests - by pro-Thaksin or anti-Thaksin groups - were revived and turned unruly they could cause the government to collapse.

"Under normal circumstances, the prime minister will not quit, in spite of speculation to the contrary as reported in the press. But he might have to resign to pave way for a new government if the situation became uncontrollable," Boonrawd said.

He voiced concern that street protests would start to mushroom as early as Monday or Tuesday, right after the Songkran holiday break.

Some protest organisers might cite the constitution draft as a reason to rally, while others would aim at attacking the junta and the government, he said, noting the real underlying issue was pursuing the Thaksin Shinawatra regime for a swag of corruption cases.

"To put it simply, the ousted regime is getting stronger by using the anti-coup issue as its rallying point, and this has prompted anti-Thaksin campaigners to consider reactivating their protests," he said.

The People's Alliance for Democracy, a key organiser of anti-Thaksin protests, was alarmed that if the old regime made a comeback, then it and the junta would be in deep trouble, he said.

He urged rival sides to stay calm in order to allow democratic rule to be restored.

"The chance for a repeat coup will hinge on how bad the downward spiral of the situation becomes, as no soldier could allow any harm to the three pillars of society - the nation, the religion and the monarchy," he said.

He outlined the doom-and-gloom scenario to senior military officers as a reminder for them to stay vigilant during politically turbulent times. The officers lined up to convey best wishes for the Thai New Year.

Junta leader General Sonthi Boonyaratglin said he believed the old regime was trying to drive a wedge between the government and the junta.

"I can confirm 100 per cent the government and the junta will work together to steer the country to the general election," Sonthi said.

He dismissed speculation about a rift between him and Surayud, saying it as a ploy to undermine stability. He said he had no reason to part ways with a government he put in office.

Panya Thiewsangwal,

Woranaree Kosajan

The Nation