"Some people, those in the minority, do not realise our utmost determination to restore peace and normalcy and some may want a quicker result," Prem said, urging the government and the junta to reason with opponents.

He called for calm and patience to allow sufficicient time for the  political system to be improved.

When the country was faced with the Communist insurgency in 1969, it took years to bring back peace, hence the majority of the people now understood that time was needed to overcome the political turbulence, he said.

"I hope under the blessings of Their Majesties the King and Queen and Thai ancestors, authorities will successfully steer the country back to normalcy," he said.

This was no time to be disheartened or to switch course, he said, giving encouragement for Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont and junta leader General Sonthi Boonyaratglin to overcome criticism about the lack of improvement following the September coup.

"Aed [Surayud's nickname] and Sonthi are putting in their utmost efforts to rehabilitate the political system and progress has been made despite misunderstanding by some people," he said.

Senior military officers, Cabinet members, Surayud's top aides and members of the Council for National Security (CNS) were among Songkran well-wishers.

After finishing with ceremonies and speeches, Prem spent considerable time mingling with Surayud and CNS members.

He enquired about Surayud's health as it was the first day the prime minister had returned to work following his three-day leave for a physical check-up.

He also greeted two of Sonthi's top assistants, General Saprang Kalayanamitr and General Anupong Paochinda, by asking Saprang to act with a cool head and enquired after Anupong's well being. Saprang, seen as the hardliner on the CNS, and Anupong, seen as the articulate counterpart, are top contenders to carry the Army's torch after Sonthi's retirement in September.