Sonthi was speaking after the decision was announced on Tuesday. He said the matter was going through the legal process and was being overseen by the police, so the CNS would not interfere.

"We respect the decision of the public prosecutors," he said.

Claims of lese majeste were cited as one of four general reasons used by the junta to justify the coup on September 19 to depose Thaksin.

Asked if the decision meant the coup-makers had not done their homework properly, Sonthi said he could not explain all the reasons to the public because it involved national security.

Meanwhile, the Assets Examination Committee (AEC) spokesman Sak Korsaengruang said the committee might not complete all the cases it was investigating by the end of its term in September.

PM's Office Minister Thirapat Serirangsan said discussion on the extension of the AEC's term was possible after many groups, including members of the National Legislative Assembly and the People's Alliance for Democracy, had proposed it. However, the necessity for the extension needed to be considered.

The coup makers cited four issues in bringing down the Thaksin government including corruption, lese majeste, causing rifts in society and interfering in independent organisations.