The military supports the calling of a general election and is ready to deploy troops to help oversee it if asked, Supreme Commander Thanasak Patimaprakorn said on Wednesday.
Gen Thanasak Patimaprakorn (Photo by Thiti Wannamontha)
"The military is one of the mechanisms of the government and supports the country operating within the constitutional framework," Gen Thanasak said.
The armed forces comprise around 420,000 personnel, 60% of whom carry weapons, he said. Soldiers would essentially become guerrillas if they did not have a strong code of conduct and adhere to the constitutional framework of the country.
The supreme commander denied reports that he had criticised permanent secretary for defence Gen Nipat Thonglek for saying that the armed forces backed the election to be held on Feb 2.
"I've never criticised Gen Nipat as some reports claimed, and we'll meet at the Defence Council meeting this Friday," Gen Thanasak said.
He called on the media to report responsibly without creating conflict in the country.
When reporters pressed him to elaborate on the military's views on the general election, he said: "An election would be good but I have no authority over it." He did not mention a date for the election.