Prayut is plan forms part of his policy to patch up differences with United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship supporters. He has served Her Majesty the Queen since he was a young officer. He is expected to protect and promote the royal institution now there have been alleged attempts to abuse it for political gains. Gen Prayuth will reach his retirement age in 2014. His remaining time in military service is long enough to protect the throne during these politically tumultuous times. Army insiders believe that with Gen Prayuth as chief, anything _ even a coup _ is possible if the army feels it may lose control over politics and be at a disadvantage against its enemies. "No one would want a coup if the nation is peaceful and free of unrest," Gen Prayuth said recently. Although he expressed a wish to bring his soldiers back to the barracks and stay away from politics, Gen Prayuth realises this will be difficult. "I will try to step back from politics, be clear of it and leave it with the government so that soldiers can do their military work. But if the nation has not returned to order, the military as a mechanism of the government must help build order first," he said. Gen Prayuth has solid back-up, his former classmates from Class 12 of the Armed Forces Academies Preparatory School control key army units. They are also considered hawkish. They include Gen Dapong Ratanasuwan, the army chief-of-staff who played an important role in plotting the crackdown on the red shirts. The presence of a bloc of combat-oriented officers in force-controlling positions sends a strong message that the army is now ready to cope with all kinds of political situations. That means national reconciliation may be of a lower priority. Sourced= Bangkokpost