Army chief Prayuth Chan-ocha has said the military is ready to help solve the national conflict, but any action must be the last resort to end the crisis.
Army chief Prayuth Chan-ocha.
Gen Prayuth yesterday called on parties involved in the conflict to exercise restraint, avoid violence and solve problems through legal means, following calls for military intervention to end the political deadlock by some pressure groups.
Sondhi Limthongkul, who played a key role in the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) street protests that led to the 2006 coup, has publicly urged the military to intervene.
"The military must take a leading role, with the backing of people," Mr Sondhi said on Friday night at a Dhamma Army rally stage.
"I am not shy about asking the military to come out. A coup is not always a bad thing if it changes the nation for the better."
The former PAD leader added that the People's Democratic Reform Committee's (PDRC) demand to invoke Section 3 or Section 7 of the constitution to select an interim prime minister is misplaced, saying the move would put pressure on the King to take sides.
But Gen Prayuth insisted the army would not act on the different calls asking it to intervene or stage a coup.
"I will not just do what others want because that won't fix the problem. All those involved must do their duty to find a way out of the crisis by using the law as a tool to end the crisis, not to fight one another," he said.
"Trust the military. We will always be there for the country and people to lean on, but let us be the last resort."
Meanwhile, retired generals representing Rattha Bukkhon plan to ask commanders of the armed forces to seek the King's advice on ending the political crisis, after Privy Council president Prem Tinsulanonda declined to accept a mediation role on their behalf.
Gen Saiyud Kerdphol, leader of the group, said he would submit a letter on the issue to the armed forces and Supreme Commander Tanasak Patimapragorn tomorrow.
Maj Gen Apirat Khongsompong, commander of the army's 1st Division, said yesterday that soldiers had been deployed to various locations in Bangkok, including Government House, parliament and television stations, to cope with increasing political tension.
Troops are working closely with police serving the Centre for the Administration of Peace and Order (Capo), he said.
All soldiers sent to guard venues with Capo police are unarmed, he added, dismissing speculation the military was preparing to invoke martial law.
A source at the army said Gen Prayuth has ordered troops be dispatched to several Bangkok locations as part of security measures to prevent possible violent attacks, particularly at night.
The locations include PDRC rally sites, the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship rally on Aksa Road and television stations.
The army announced it would transport weapons and armaments including artillery and tanks from Khok Krathiam station in Lop Buri province to Bangkok for use in annual military field exercises.
The announcement was made to prevent public misunderstanding about the military's movements.