Deputy Defence Minister and army chief Udomdej Sitabutr has warned he will use martial law to stifle protest activities deemed to "cross the line" after the decision comes down Friday on whether to impeach former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra.
Ms Yingluck is due to deliver a closing statement Thursday before the National Legislative Assembly (NLA) votes on whether to charge her for dereliction of duty in her government's rice-pledging scheme. She chaired the National Rice Policy Committee when she was premier.
Udomdej: Has faith red shirts will behave
Speaking about fears that supporters of Ms Yingluck may reignite street demonstrations if she is impeached, Gen Udomdej said he was not worried, as security authorities are monitoring the situation.
"The activities must not go beyond the law," Gen Udomdej said, referring to orders under martial law that ban public gatherings. "I appeal to everyone to adhere to regulations."
He said he believes the NLA will be impartial in its decision. People should "heed reason" and stay calm.
The army chief said partisans can still express their opinions during interviews, but they must not "cross the line". He did not indicate what would constitute crossing the line.
Gen Udomdej responded to reports that Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha would deploy troops to ensure order after the vote.
"In political affairs, the issue is making people understand and accept things which are correct."
On Wednesday, Gen Prayut called on the public to understand the clear meaning of reconciliation amid mounting pressure from Ms Yingluck's supporters. Reconciliation means engaging in dialogue and taking care of others without animosity or resentment, he said.
He said the NLA works as a parliament and it must be honoured.
"The justice process will determine whether it is right or wrong," Gen Prayut said.
Somkid Cheukong, a former Pheu Thai MP for Ubon Ratchathani, rejected as politically motivated the National Anti-Corruption Commission's (NACC) recommendation to indict former commerce minister Boonsong Teriyapirom, his ex-deputy Poom Sarapol and 19 others for corruption in their roles in government-to-government (G-to-G) rice sales under the Yingluck administration.
"The move is aimed at making a connection with the impeachment bid against Ms Yingluck," he said.
The timing of the NACC announcement was intended to influence the NLA's impeachment, Mr Somkid said.
He said "the same old faces" are trying to lobby non-partisan NLA members to favour impeachment. This was an apparent reference to the anti-Thaksin "Group of 40" former senators, academics, civil servants and businessmen in the NLA.
This group doesn't care about the rule of law, Mr Somkid said, but only about weeding the Shinawatra family out of politics.
Kwanchai Praipana, a leader of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship, said he believes the timing of the NACC's recommendation was planned in advance. But he said red shirts would respond to a decision to impeach with "utmost toleration".
"Reconciliation is difficult when there is injustice," he said. "Bloodshed or riots could erupt if people are forced to give in."
Speaking about Ms Yingluck's closing statement today, Deputy Democrat Party leader Nipit Intarasombat said she can choose to hand out a letter or deliver a speech.
But he said he doubts what Ms Yingluck would be able to explain in a closing statement, given that she failed to appear before an NLA inquiry last week.