General Sonthi Boonyaratglin, the leader of the coup attempt in Thailand, is the first Muslim to head the Buddhist nation`s Army and is known to be quite close to the revered King Bhumibol Adulyadej.

Sonthi, 59, a decorated combat veteran, had publicly clashed with Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra over security policy in the run-up to military takeover in Bangkok.

His appointment last year as Army Commander-in-Chief was widely seen as a bid by the government to end a violent Islamic insurgency in the Muslim-majority south. Muslims make up just four percent of the kingdom`s population.

Sonthi`s supporters said at the time that he could help counter the impression that the government discriminates against Muslims.

He had advocated talks with militants as a way out of the violence that has killed more than 1,400 people since January 2004, but was rebuffed by the Government, which publicly quashed any hopes for negotiations.

Sonthi graduated from Chulachomklao Royal Military Academy in 1969 and was commissioned to the Royal Army Infantry Corps, before going on to lead several top units, including the elite Special Warfare Command.

More recently he became embroiled in the kingdom`s political deadlock, acting at times as an unofficial voice for Thailand`s King Bhumibol Adulyadej in the crisis which has gripped the country for most of the year.

Sonthi let it be known publicly that King was upset at the continued bickering.