Sonthi in defiance if PPP wins

"The law will decide who is right or wrong as I don't think any comments to sway votes should count for anything," he said in reference to remarks by PPP leader Samak Sundaravej soliciting votes as an anticoup message.

Sonthi expressed scepticism about the PPP's speculated victory, arguing "the people knew what the problems were for years" and that they understood the September 19 coup and the subsequent restoration of democratic rule.

He said he saw no justification to interpret the votes cast either as a disapproval of his staging the coup or an endorsement of the legacy of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

"The fate of Thaksin depends on the judicial review and not the voting outcome," he said.

He said democracy will stay on course even if ousted government leaders return to power. Voters are expected to cast ballots based on personal ties with individual candidates and not the popularity of the PPP, he added.

Commenting on his political plans, he said it was too late in the game for him to contest the polls although he would soon decide on his future following the election outcome.

"I may have an answer on November 13," he said.

Junta chief Air Chief Marshal Chalit Phukphasuk said he had no objection to two anticoup campaigners joining the race as partylist candidates of the PPP.

Chalit said he expected Jatuporn Phromphan and Manit Chitchanklap to abide by campaigning rules.

"I don't expect campaigning activities to spiral out of control," he said.

The Nation