Thaksin Shinawatra has denied having said a coup was possible after the court rules on a case involving his sister, caretaker Prime minister Yingluck Shinwatra, as quoted in many online news reports, his spokesman said on Monday afternoon.
Noppadon Pattama, his legal adviser, denied news reports quoting Thaksin as telling associates there was a high possibility of coup by "Burapa Payak" generals after the Constitutional Court's ruling on the prime minister's status.
Burapa Payak refers to a network of army officers whose career began with the 2nd Infantry Division Queen's Guard. They include army chief Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha, former defence minister Gen Prawit Wongsuwon and former army chief Gen Anupong Paochinda.
Thaksin had never made such a comment or talked to anyone about this, Mr Noppadon said at a media briefing called on Monday.
The fugitive former prime minister is certain army officers will abide by the rules and democratic principles, and therefore does not believe there will be a coup, Mr Noppadol said.
Thaksin said he was ready ask his family members to withdraw from politics so the country could move forward, but only if all sides also step back and play by the rules, Mr Noppadon said.
In any case, this did not mean Thaksin had set conditions or demanded that the Democrats run in the next election.
What he meant is that all the problems can come to an end only when the two sides cooperate, said Mr Noppadon.
Personally, Thaksin believed an election was the only peaceful and fair solution, and that political problems had to be addressed in parliament, not in court or by independent bodies, his spokesman said.