No political role for military: Chai

"I don't think there will be another coup. Most soldiers now do not seek political power and I believe the current Army chief won't agree with staging a coup," Chai said.

"Our King will protect us from all the problems. But if there's an incident similar to the one on September 19, 2006, our country will be doomed," he said.

"Problems should be solved within the political arena, that is Parliament. The opposition and their supporters must use this forum."

Chai approved of Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej's plan to hold a public referendum on whether the Constitution should be rewritten, but saw no need for coalition MPs to withdraw their amendment motion submitted on Wednesday.

The new House speaker was at his office greeting visitors who came to congratulate him on his appointment.

Election Commission member Sodsri Sattayatham said the referendum could take place in July if the House agrees to push for speedy passage of the referendum law.

The EC could dust off the suspended 1998 referendum legislation as a framework for drafting the new bill to be completed by next month, she said.

Before the referendum was held for the 2007 Constitution, the National Legislative Assembly passed the bill in one seating and the House should follow that precedent, she said.

The referendum would ease the tensions stirred up by proponents and opponents of the charter, she added.