 Amid escalating public criticism of Premier Surayud in March 2007, Chaiwat Sinsuwong, leader of a PAD branch called the Assembly of Isaan People, personally met Sonthi to request that the military remove the Prime Minister.Afterwards, Chaiwat claimed that Sonthi listened to him attentively and promised to consider his request.Sonthi later claimed that he was tricked into receiving Chaiwat, and had no intention to endorse the anti-government activists.