BANGKOK: -- Supreme Commander Gen. Boonsang Niempradit on Friday dismissed news reports relating to rumours of a possible new coup d'etat, saying he had never instructed a military forces check-up in preparation for a putsch as some media members had reported.

He said he was not concerned about the planned rally by the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) on Friday evening because it is a normal phenomenon in a democratic system.

"I don't think the rally will lead to national division. Under democratic rule, some may have a difference in their views and blame each other," he said. "But such actions must be done constructively."

Asked whether the military would intervene if there was a clash between pro- and anti-government groups, he said it is a duty of the state security to monitor and control such situations.

But if the clash escalates into uncontrollable chaos, there are clear procedures for the military to follow to cope with it.

However, he did not think such chaos would happen.

Asked to comment on the reports there is a military forces readiness check-up in preparation for staging a coup, Gen. Boonsang said it was just a rumour among the media.

"I have never heard this rumour," he said. "It must be without grounds. I affirm I have never instructed any military force check-up."

-- TNA 2008-04-25