Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has defended former protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban's "reforms before election" campaign, saying he is not aiming to help his administration but the country.
Mr Suthep heads the Muan Maha Prachachon (Great Mass of the People) for Reforms Foundation, established by a group of former People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) leaders, including himself.
It declared last week it wanted the government to stay in power until national reforms are complete.
Mr Suthep said reforms must take place before elections, no matter how long the process takes.
"Mr Suthep is not trying to help me," Gen Prayut insisted at Government House Tuesday. "But if he wants to help the country under the foundation, let it be."
The premier said his government was set up under special circumstances to carry out reforms and prepare the country for an election.
"Anything Mr Suthep does to support us, I want to thank him personally as we have known each other a long time. But I appeal to him not to cause further conflicts," Gen Prayut said.
Meanwhile, Pheu Thai acting deputy spokesman Anusorn Iamsa-ard said if the NCPO failed to follow its roadmap for democracy, Mr Suthep and his foundation would end up as the country's "sixth river" of power which will interfere in every administration.
He said some members of the so-called "five rivers" are trying to make the NCPO hold on to power as long as possible because this would give them more time to wipe out their political opponents.
The five rivers consist of the NCPO, NRC, the National Legislative Assembly (NLA), Constitution Drafting Committee (CDC) and the cabinet.
The NCPO must proceed in line with the roadmap to take the country to elections as it promised to the public, Mr Anusorn said.
Meanwhile, National Reform Council (NRC) member Thiti Wuthikowit called on his peers not to heed the advice of a minority of NRC members who have urged the draft charter be voted down so the government can remain in power longer.
He said every NRC member should have the freedom to decide on his own the fate of the draft charter.