Leading politicians and activists yester-day pressed Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont to be more decisive after he vowed to see his term out amid mounting pressure for his resignation and rumours of a fresh coup.

With the start of the Thai new year, comments on the embattled administration have become more critical.

Democrat Party chief adviser Chuan Leekpai said some people might be disappointed with the interim government, as it hadn't delivered what Surayud promised.

The government hasn't clearly explained to the people the four reasons for the September coup, he said. However, it could use its remaining term to do better, as some people were still happy with it.

"We can say that this government is generous, although it was installed by a military coup. The media can give more opinions now than under Thaksin Shinawatra's government, so the administration is being criticised. I want to tell everybody in the government that time is precious and they must work swiftly," Chuan said.

The government must take the lead in solving the southern violence, he said. It can't just pass off the responsibility to the Council for National Security (CNS) or the Internal Security Operations Command, as all agencies must do their job faithfully.

The government should consider its human resources, as some might be reluctant to respond to its policies as they were still loyal to the Thaksin regime, he added.

Democrat leader Abhisit Vejjajiva did not fault Surayud's integrity but said his government had failed to ensure that the country's situation was improving. "Nobody has said the prime minister has not been devoted or been intent enough," he said.

The government should also focus on solving economic problems.

Thai Rak Thai acting leader Chaturon Chaisang said the economy was the public's number one concern. However, the conflict among the government, the CNS and the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD), an anti-Thaksin government group, should be more worrisome as it would threaten the government's and the CNS' stability.

Chat Thai leader Banharn Silapa-archa said the public had high expectations and Surayud should review his working style.

"The PM was a military officer, a bureaucrat. Therefore, he formed the Cabinet from former government officers and the work has shown little progress. From now on, he must consider people's requests and fix problems quickly," he said.

Suriyasai Katasila, secretary-general of the Campaign for Popular Democracy, said the government should have more courage in executing its agenda.

The prime minister is decent and honest, but it has been proved that honesty is not enough for national administration, he said.

Trying to change the southern militants' hearts and minds and giving them chances to reform indicated confusion in the government's reconciliation policy.

If the militants never change, it is not clear who will be responsible for people's losses, he said.