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Published on January 30, 2008

"I have no problem because Samak won the people's mandate to do the job in accordance with democratic rule," he said via a telephone interview from Cairo.

Sonthi is scheduled to return to Bangkok today and has promised to speak with the press for the first time since the December 23 election.

He said he intended to outline his future plans and sum up his work in overseeing security affairs.

Meanwhile, Army chief General Anupong Paochinda expressed readiness yesterday to work under the new government but declined to comment on Samak possibly taking on the defence portfolio.

"I won't talk about this. Let it become clear first before asking me this question," Anupong said.

As subordinates, the military had no issues with the government, he said.

"We serve the public by implementing measures set by policymakers under the people's mandate," he said.

Following a weekly meeting with commanders, the Army chief flew to the South to monitor progress on quelling separatist violence.

He was accompanied his top brass, including Chief of Staff General Montri Chompuchan.

Counter-insurgency measures were on the right track, he said, adding that he was willing to factor in any initiatives of the new government. The situation showed improvement thanks to the efforts of all agencies, including police and the Southern Border Provinces Administrative Centre, he added.

The Nation