Suthep denies coercing Kasit to resign

Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban on Monday denied a report that he had ganged up with the military to pressure Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya to resign.

The report said Mr Suthep, secretary-general of the Democrat Party, invited Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwan, army chief Gen Anupong Paojinda, and army chief-of-staff Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha to his birthday party on Samui island in Surat Thani province during the long holiday.  It said these people discussed ways of pressuring Mr Kasit to resign.

Gen Prawit, Gen Anupong and Gen Prayuth were not satisfied with Mr Kasit, according to the report.  They thought the foreign minister had aggravated the situation along the Cambodian border near Preah Vihear temple.

Mr Suthep flatly denied the report, saying he had not talked to any military leaders or politicians during the birthday party about jointly pressing for Mr Kasit's resignation.

He said the report was  intended to cause conflict. The military had never applied pressure on or interfered in the government's work.

The Democrat secretary-general also said it was a pity senator Khamnoon Sithisamarn  thought the government wanted Mr Kasit out. The Democrat Party had never worked with or supported the People's Alliance for Democracy, Mr Suthep said.