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Published on January 13, 2008

Army commander-in-chief Anupong Paochinda yesterday expressed willingness to discuss Thaksin Shinawatra's return from exile with the ousted premier's wife Pojaman, who came back early last week.

"It's a good idea to talk for the sake of national reconciliation," said Anupong, also assistant chief of the Council for National Security (CNS), which staged the September 19, 2006 coup that toppled Thaksin.

"However, some issues are beyond the CNS's authority and they would have to be dealt with according to the law," he said.

Mutual trust and the absence of any biases were imperative to national efforts to improve the political situation, he said.

"All sides should fight their case or prove their innocence in court so that the country can move forward," the Army chief said.

"It would be good if Thaksin were to return ahead of his schedule, so that matters could be cleared to bring back political stability and normalcy," he added.

Meanwhile, Air Chief Marshal Chalit Pukpasook, the acting junta chief, said public pressure against the Election Commission with regard to its issuing of red and yellow cards against MP candidates for overstepping campaign rules was undemocratic and illegal.

Chalit also dismissed rumours that Prem Tinsula-nonda, president of the Privy Council, would step down.

"I don't see any reason why General Prem would resign as he was appointed by His Majesty the King," he said.

On the filling of seats in the new Cabinet by the People Power Party (PPP) and its allies, Chalit said the CNS had never interfered in the choice of defence minister.

But he declined to comment on whether the military would accept General Ruengroj Maha-saranond, who is close to Thak-sin, as the new defence chief.

PPP sources said the Chart Thai, Ruam Jai Thai Chart Pattana, Matchima Thipataya and Pracharaj parties had accepted Cabinet posts allocated by the PPP.

The new line-up sees PPP secretary-general Surapong Suebwonglee becoming prime minister instead of Samak Sundaravej, who would settle for president of Parliament, the sources said.

As for the Puea Pandin Party, there is no final decision yet because Vatana Asavahame, its chairman, has refused to join a PPP-led coalition government.

The Nation