Council for National Security (CNS) chairman General Sonthi Boonyaratglin warned the government yesterday about "volatile political developments" over the next two months, in which its enemies would try to pressure the government with street rallies, a source said yesterday.

The general made his warning in a discussion with Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont and Defence Minister General Boonrawd Somtas on the sideline of his meeting with the Cabinet at Government House yesterday.

Sonthi pointed out that the Assets Examination Committee was set to make key decisions on cases involving politicians from the previous administration, and that the Constitution Tribunal would rule on electoral fraud cases against the Democrat and Thai Rak Thai parties, the source said.

"There will be all kinds of mobs to increase pressure and create confusion. So the government should be on alert and find ways to handle that," the source quoted Sonthi as saying.

The Cabinet yesterday informed the CNS chief of progress in its work and discussed co-operation among relevant agencies, Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont said.

He said the meeting was not held to cover up reports of conflicts between the agencies.

The government was attempting to work with all agencies involved including the National Legislative Assembly (NLA), the Assets Examination Committee (AEC), the Election Commission (EC) and the Constitution Drafting Assembly (CDA).

The Prime Minister said Sonthi did not urge him to do anything special. They did not discuss groups trying to oppose the constitution draft, or a report that money was being sent from abroad to sponsor protesters.

Yesterday was the first time Sonthi had joined an unofficial Cabinet meeting. The CNS chief arrived with the defence minister a little after 9am and left at 10.40am.

CNS spokesman Colonel Sansern Kaewkamnerd said Sonthi discussed national security with the Cabinet as he wanted government agencies - including the CNS and Internal Security Operations Command - to co-operate smoothly and work in the same direction.

Another source, who asked not to be named, said the government would allow other agencies established after the coup to join the weekly Cabinet meetings.

PM's Office Minister Thirapat Serirangsan said it was clear that both the government and the CNS wanted a new Constitution - which would lead to an election - and there was no reason for people to provoke chaos with rallies.

They should all help push for the new Constitution, he said.

People who disagreed with the Constitution draft could send their opinions to the CDA on how to amend the draft, he said.

Deputy Social Development and Human Security Minister Poldej Pinpratheep said Sonthi's meeting with the Cabinet was unofficial and the government should not be criticised for allowing the CNS to "interfere" in its work.

"I don't think the meeting was an attempt to set up an image or wipe out the image that the government had conflicts with the CNS. It was about the effectiveness of our work," he said.

Piyanart Srivalo,

Hassaya Chartmontri,

Samatcha Hoonsara

The Nation