July 13, 2007	Friday	Jamadi-us-Sani 27, 1428

YALA (Thailand), July 12: Thailand's military-installed Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont on Thursday cautioned junta leader General Sonthi Boonyaratglin against entering politics in upcoming elections.

Sonthi, who seized power in a coup last September and installed Surayud as premier weeks later, has said he may run in general elections promised by the end of this year, depending on the political situation.

Former general Surayud, speaking from southern Thailand, said it was a “personal matter” if army chief Sonthi decided to stand, but warned that history was not on the side of the career soldier.

“As Prasong (chairman of the Constitution Drafting Council) said, there is not any military man who was successful (in Thai politics),” he told reporters, referring to comments made by Prasong Soonsiri earlier this week.

Surayud, however, rejected accusations that Thailand's military rulers were trying to cling to power as the country prepares to return to democracy.

“There shouldn't be any significant repercussions if he really decides to run,” he said.

Defence Minister Boonrawd Somtas said in an interview on Monday that Sonthi wanted to run for parliament so that he can “sweep all the dirt” left by toppled prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, but said Sonthi would not likely seek the premiership.

Sonthi, 61, faces mandatory retirement from the military on September 30 and has shown no sign of trying to extend his tenure as head of the army. The military is currently considering who will replace him as leader of the junta.

In an interview published in the Nation newspaper on Thursday, Sonthi remained coy about his political future, but said he was cautious of those who advised him about embarking on a career in government.

“I have to read between the lines the viewpoints supporting and opposing.

Yet I listen to all of the opinions. I’ll try to figure out if both the supporters and the critics have any hidden agenda,” he said.—AFP