Army chief Prayuth Chan-ocha has insisted the provisional constitution seeks to maintain a balance between the powers of the interim government and those of the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO).
Speaking in his weekly Returning Happiness to the People television address on Friday night, Gen Prayuth said it is necessary for the interim charter to clearly define the scope of authority and duty of organisations established under it, stressing that these organisations exercise the powers on behalf of His Majesty the King under this charter.
The interim charter is now in effect following the declaration of its promulgation in the Royal Gazette on Tuesday.
"Everyone should be happy that there is a balance of power between the government and the NCPO," he said.
He was responding to criticism that Section 44 of the interim charter gives the junta power over the interim government, which is to be formed soon.
Section 44 authorises the regime leader to exercise the powers of the executive, legislative and judicial branches of government to promote reform and unity, and to prevent and suppress threats to national security, the royal institution, and the economy. The actions and orders of the NCPO leader are deemed legal and constitutional.
Gen Prayuth: Everyone should be happy.
Gen Prayuth, also the NCPO chief, said last month that a national legislative body would be established a month or so following the enactment of the interim charter, while an interim administration was expected to be formed by September.
The reform council could be established by October, he added.
He told a TV audience yesterday that over the past two months, the NCPO has tried to solve the country's problems without using heavy-handed measures against anyone.
It has tried to use its powers constructively for the sake of peace and for the happiness of the public.
Gen Prayuth said those who will be given powers under the interim charter should not worry about the junta, as long as they exercise their power in the best interests of the public and the country.
However, he said that if they fail to carry out their duty properly or transparently, changes can always be made.
Gen Prayuth said that since the interim charter is in place, the legislative, executive and judicial branches of power — the national legislative assembly, the interim cabinet and the courts of justice — will soon function fully in running the country, while a national reform process will get under way simultaneously.
Urgent reforms will be implemented immediately, while medium-term reforms could take at least a year and long-term reform plans will be taken up by future governments, he said.
Gen Prayuth also directed his remarks at anti-coup elements, saying these anti-coup groups are still causing misunderstanding and distorting facts both at home and abroad.
He denied accusations by the anti-coup groups that the junta has singled out particular groups for persecution and punishment, saying the justice process and independent organisations still function independently.
"If we want to destroy anyone, as a sovereign entity with much power, we can do it, but we don't," he said.