BANGKOK, March 6 (Xinhuanet) -- Thai Army Chief General Sonthi Boonyaratkalin affirmed Monday that he believed no one could lure the armed forces into the current political turmoil in the country,local media report said.

    Responding to reports that some military officers went to SanamLuang (Royal Square) to hear caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra's speech at a big rally last Friday night, Sonthi said that it was their rights as individuals and a normal thing under ademocratic government in which people can have different opinions,the report said.

    "On the other hand, there might also have been other military officers who heard the speeches of the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) leaders during their anti-Thaksin rally on Sunday night," the army chief was quoted by Thai News Agency as saying.

    "I am confident that no one from either side can lure soldiers into the current political situation," he said, adding "and the armed forces themselves will not get involved in it."

    Sonthi said he believed that political tensions will not get out of hand or lead to violence, judging from Sunday night's peaceful demonstration.

    The anti-Thaksin protesters were appropriately monitored and controlled by the police force, he said, adding that which was able to maintain control despite the mass movement of protesters from Sanam Luang to the Democracy Monument and then to Government House.

    The security measures currently implemented at the rallies are at the first operation stage -- at which the police can handle thesituation. However, if the situation develops into the second stage, he said, "the army is ready to take action as required by the army's duty and responsibility." Enditem