The Senate on Friday called for cooperation from the caretaker government and vowed to push for a prime minister with full authority to solve the country's political turmoil.
Senators hold a meeting at parliament on Friday as they continue their quest for a solution to the political unrest. (Photo by Chanat Katanyu)
"We hope for cooperation from the government and all sectors to get us through the national crisis," acting Senate Speaker Surachai Liangboonlertchai said.
The members of the Upper House, he said, hoped all sides would be willing to sacrifice and help the country move forward.
Among those unwilling to sacrifice is Suthep Thaugsuban, the leader of the anti-government People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC). Angered that senators had rejected his idea to name an unelected premier immediately, he said he would not meet with them again.
Mr Suthep also accused fugitive former premier Thaksin Shinawatra of "buying" senators to ensure they would not do the PDRC's bidding.
Meanwhile, the Army found itself once more fending off coup talk. Officers said, however, that conditions had deteriorated to the point where martial law was an option if violence worsened.
Following informal talks among senators on Friday, Mr Surachai insisted on the need to have a prime minister and cabinet with full authority to not only administer the country but also submit a decree for a new election.
If necessary, he said, senators would call for a special session for the chamber to exercise its duty. In the absence of the House of Representatives, he said, the Senate could act but would do so in a way that was constitutional.
Senators earlier this week met with Mr Suthep, but declined to take up his suggestion that they immediately name an interim premier who would oversee reforms before an election could be held.
Talks between senators and the government led by acting caretaker Prime Minister Niwattumrong Boonsongpaisan had been scheduled for Saturday. However, they may be put off until Monday as Mr Niwattumrong said he had other engagements over the weekend.
The Senate has been thrust into the role of potential mediator and peacemaker in the absence of any other groups willing to offer constructive solutions.
Mr Suthep continues to set deadlines for the Senate to act, saying that if it does not, he would assume "sovereign power" on behalf of "the people". The deadline for doing so could be Saturday, or possibly Monday.Mr Suthep has been known to change his deadlines.
The PDRC on Thursday torpedoed plans for a July 20 election by disrupting a meeting between Election Commission and the caretaker government.
The anti-government side claims that Mr Niwattumrong doesn't even have the authority to issue an election decree, let alone run the country.
The red-shirt United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) is the only group refusing to join in talks with the senators.
Meanwhile, army chief Prayuth Chan-ocha on Friday dismissed speculation about a possible military coup, but the Internal Security Operations Command (IOC) did not rule out the enforcement of martial law.
Gen Prayuth said the statement he made on Thursday was a warning to all sides to end violence and should not be interpreted as a move closer to a coup.
"Don't think that I am taking sides in the statement," he said in response to questions about the remarks he made. Soldiers are also legally bound to serve the people, he added.
His message apparently was directed at red-shirt leader Jatuporn Prompan, who said on Thursday that the statement was part of a plot to push Gen Prayuth to be prime minister after a coup. Gen Prayuth denied it.
He said the army was not trying to take a lead in solving the unrest. "The army did not try to dictate the situation. It depends on the protesters and other sides," he added.
His position was echoed by deputy army spokesman Winthai Suwaree and the Isoc, but both of them hinted something might have to be done.
The army was trying not to make the situation worse, Col Winthai said. "But sometimes it has to act under the law," he added.
Isoc spokesman Banpote Poonpien reiterated the army's concern about violence and added that it had the option to announce the enforcement of the martial law.
Isoc hoped that the Internal Security Act being enforced by the Centre for the Administration of Peace and Order (Capo) would be enough to control the situation. The immediate concern, he said, was weekend rallies planned by the PDRC and the UDD.
Martial law, if it is announced by the army, does not tantamount to a military coup, Col Banpote said.
Capo insisted that the ISA was sufficient to control the situation as it brings together police, soldier and civilians to act and said it still was another option to reinstatement of the emergency decree.
"Capo insisted that the Internal Security Act being enforced could bring about cooperation from all sides including soldiers, police and civilians," said Pol Lt Col Anchulee Teerawongpaisan, a Capo spokeswoman.
"If the situation escalates, the emergency decree could be reinstated and effectively enforced," she added.
Gen Prayuth issued the statement after M79 grenade attacks and a drive-by shooting at Democracy Monument and the Khok Wua intersection early on Thursday killed three people and injured 22 others.
Martial law gives the armed forces full authority to handle all security situations.