BANGKOK, July 12 (Xinhua) -- Royal Thai Army Commander-in-Chief Gen. Sonthi Boonyarattakalin Wednesday reiterated that the army is ready to give support to keep safety for Caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra if the government wants it to do so.

    Gen. Sonthi's remarks came amidst an intelligent report that there is an assassination attempt against the premier by an unidentified group of dissidents, according to the Thai News Agency.

    Giving an interview before leaving for an official visit to Singapore during July 12-14, Gen. Sonthi downplayed a report that security agencies had called on the Interior Ministry and the army to supervise the safety of Thaksin.

    "It is just a report. However, all sections must already have preventive measures. Should the government want us to help, it is our duty to give the support," he said. Enditem