"Nobody is doing a coup and there is no military mobilization," General Sonthi Boonyaratglin told AFP.

The new government has blamed groups opposed to a recent putsch for eight bomb blasts on New Year's Eve that killed three and injured dozens, and troops have taken to the streets amid warnings of more violence.

On Thursday night, rumours began to surface that Sonthi was planning to seize total control of the capital and oust the civilian government that he installed three months ago. However, he strenuously denied the report.

He also denied rumours that a counter-coup against his regime might be in the works.

"There is no reason to do a coup," he stressed.

Military leaders led by Sonthi seized power from premier Thaksin Shinawatra in a bloodless coup on September 19. The junta later installed a government led by former general Surayud Chulanont.

Although the majority of Thais appeared to support the coup, there had been some grumblings lately that Sonthi was interfering in day-to-day government matters, and the country has been on edge since Sunday's deadly blasts.