A news conference called for today by Suthep Thaugsuban, the chief architect of the anti-government movement that led to the 2014 coup, is seen by his opponents as a strategic move to bolster the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO).
Mr Suthep has called the media to a Bangkok hotel today to make his first public statements since he turned his back on politics as leader of the now-defunct People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) to enter the monkhood.
The PDRC's rival, the red-shirted United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD), says his first public outing since leaving the monkhood on Tuesday will signal the PDRC is about to take an active role in supporting the ruling junta. The UDD says Mr Suthep hopes to instal a mechanism to prevent the return of Thaksin Shinawatra and his cronies to power.
"The goal is to maintain their call for 'reform before election' and preserve his camp's political victory both for street politics and at the ballot boxes," UDD leader Tida Tawornseth wrote on her Facebook page Wednesday.
She said Mr Suthep will need to prolong the stay of the NCPO and the military-installed government to ensure the group's plans are implemented.
Ms Tida said the press conference, in which Mr Suthep is expected to outline plans for the People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) Foundation, which succeeds the PDRC, is nothing but political.
Mr Suthep still wants to engage in political activities and scheming and chooses to do so through the PDRC Foundation, she said.
The NCPO has warned the foundation not to hold the press conference, but in her view this was merely procedural and designed to show the public that the military council gives no privileges to any groups.
"How come Mr Suthep's press conference is not politically related? He has made it clear he will focus his work on public policies," she said.
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha said Mr Suthep would need to seek permission from the NCPO to make sure his press conference would not violate the junta's ban on political activities. "If we can approve it, we will," he said.
"We will not approve it just because we are on the same side. Everyone must come under the same rules," Gen Prayut said.
"If it is about the work of the foundation it's fine. If it is about politics, it isn't," said the prime minister.
Asked what would happen if the press conference also touched on reform proposals, Gen Prayut said Mr Suthep should refer the matter to the National Reform Council (NRC) which was set up to handle national reforms. He said other proposals concerning the law should be forwarded to the National Legislative Assembly.
Army Commander Gen Udomdej Sitabutr called on Mr Suthep to put national unity and peace first. He said it would be best for the country if all sides refrained from politics-related activities.
"We treat all groups equally. We have to maintain peace and order but we aren't singling out any of them," he said.
UDD leader Jatuporn Prompan said he doubted Mr Suthep's comments would be regarded as a threat to the NCPO. He also urged the NCPO to accept that all movements and activities are politically related.
"Any talk [about reforms] will be connected to politics. Don't forbid such things just because they have something to do with politics. We'd rather keep an open heart and let all sides have their say, so Thais can live amid differences but without divisiveness," he said.
Former Pheu Thai MP Cherdchai Tantisirin called on the NCPO to halt the press conference to avoid double standards.
"Why does the NCPO have to be kreng jai? People will say they are on the same side. The military has so far banned everything, including student activities. If Mr Suthep can proceed, others should be allowed," he said.
Meanwhile, PDRC Foundation secretary Akanat Promphan said the press conference has been approved by the NCPO but the military council is likely to observe the event.
He said Mr Suthep will outline the foundation's work in line with the PDRC's mission and insisted the PDRC Foundation will not engage in activities that may spoil the political atmosphere or disrupt the NCPO's political road-map and reform plans.
According to Mr Akanat, the PDRC Foundation will work on the political system; prevention and suppression of corruption; distribution of power; restructuring the police force; reducing social disparity; and bureaucratic reforms.