 Fellow coup-supporter Chamlong Srimuang, whose 1992 protests against Prime Minister Suchinda Kraprayoon led to the coup-leader's downfall, declined to state his views on Sonthi's future political role.CNS sources claimed that as of July 2007, Sonthi had not made a decision about whether or not to run in the next election.The Prime Minister's Office Minister defended Sonthi's right to formally enter politics.