BANGKOK - THE Thai general who led the coup against Thaksin Shinawatra said on Wednesday that he still 'loves' the former premier and pledged to support the new government formed by his allies.

General Sonthi Boonyaratglin toppled Mr Thaksin's government in September 2006, accusing the billionaire of widespread corruption and of disloyalty to the king, which is a serious offence in Thailand.

Since the coup, Mr Thaksin has been living in self-imposed exile in Britain as the military opened a slate of corruption investigations against him.

General Sonthi told reporters that he had spoken to Mr Thaksin twice by phone since Mr Samak's People Power Party won the elections, but added that they had not discussed his possible return to Thailand.

'I spoke with Thaksin once before his wife Pojaman returned to Thailand (on Jan 8) and once before the new coalition government was formed' last week, General Sonthi said.

'The calls were arranged by people who are concerned over the country's situation,' he told reporters after returning from a trip to the Middle East.

'Our talks were straightforward and frank, but I did not discuss his return to Thailand and neither of us made any concessions,' General Sonthi said.

'We still love each other and our brotherhood remains intact,' he said.

General Sonthi and Mr Thaksin attended the same military preparatory school, but at different times. Bonds from military school play an important part in Thai political alliances.

The remarks were a sharp turnaround for General Sonthi, who in the wake of the coup implied that he feared for his life while serving as army chief under Mr Thaksin.

Now General Sonthi said he fully supported the new government.

'I would like to offer support for the new government and want everyone, including the opposition, to support the government,' he said.

General Sonthi retired as army chief in September last year to take a post as deputy prime minister in the military-installed government. -- AFP