US ambassador Glyn Davies, in his first meeting with Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha on Thursday, asked the general to listen more to the people, while the premier urged the US to be open-minded and see the truth of Thailand's situation.
After their talk which lasted about two hours at Government House, the new US ambassador said he urged the government to create more space for public opinion on Thailand's political situation as a way to build a sustainable democracy.
"I hope Thailand will continue on the path in which there is an opening up of space for greater public participation in the debate about Thailand's future," he said.
Mr Davies said he discussed a number of topics with Gen Prayut, including the government's roadmap to restore democracy and regional challenges.
Issues relating to the Trans-Pacific Partnership, the Cobra Gold military exercise and the South China Sea were "generally discussed", he said.
The ambassador assured Thailand of US cooperation. "There are several areas in which we are cooperating with Thailand productively for the benefit of both countries," Mr Davies said.
He said he was looking forward to having more meetings with the prime minister in the future. He also said he would meet people around Thailand to understand Thai politics better.
"I will be getting out around Thailand as much as I possibly can to talk to people from all walks of life and all sides of the political spectrum," he said.
Deputy government spokesman Werachon Sukondhapatipak quoted Mr Davies as saying that no matter what happened to Thailand, both countries would remain close friends, and his arrival was not meant to put any pressure on Thailand as what was occurring in the country required Thai solutions.
Gen Prayut explained Thailand's situation to the ambassador, including disunity, and urged the ambassador to listen to different groups of people and be open-minded in order to see the truth about the situation, Maj Gen Werachon said.
The prime minister insisted on the exercise of special laws constructively and to refrain from troubling any parties, while wrongdoers were being handled by the book. He said the justice system always worked well along with evidence and without any discrimination, the deputy government spokesman said.
"The talk was constructive as both sides are friends and have had relations for over two centuries. Recommendations are constructive and show no intention of intervention," Maj Gen Werachon said.
He said Gen Prayut agreed to allow space for the expression of opinion and the government would study ways to create that.