Thailand's Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont said Thursday that chances of ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra returning to Thailand after elections are slim, because charges facing him were in process.

"I would say please don't ever come back," Surayud said, when media reporters ask him what he would say to Thaksin if could meet him in person.

Surayud also dismissed widespread rumors that he had a secret gentleman agreement with Thaksin that he would be permitted to the country, local media reported.

In the past when confronted with the same question, Surayud would say Thaksin should wait until after the election. It was not clear if the statement meant a change in his position, local news network The Nation commented.

The premier also admitted that one of the problems facing the government was slow action. He denied that part of the problem came from cabinet ministers, saying they have no hidden agenda in serving the country.

He added that he had told his ministers to have medical check- ups and to meet the people to listen to their problems.

Surayud also confirmed that the government would stay until the elections, and there was no way that any groups could cause a rift between the government and the Council for National Security (CNS) which led by Sonthi Boonyaratkalin.

Source: Xinhua