The military regime must handle the investigation into former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra for an alleged slur against the monarchy carefully.
There is no doubt that this is a highly sensitive issue. A misstep could easily inflame the still-volatile situation and prompt it to spiral out of control.
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha on Thursday appeared to have toned down an earlier report that Thaksin could be charged with lese majeste in relation to an interview he gave during an Asian leadership conference in Seoul last week.
Gen Prayut said the authorities are still considering the issue.
Gen Prayut's statement seems more prudent than an earlier announcement by the Foreign Affairs Ministry that the exiled former premier has come under criminal investigation for violating Section 112 of the penal code, or lese majeste law.
The ministry said in its statement released on Wednesday that parts of Thaksin's interview given to Korean newspaper Chosun Ilbo undermined national security and dignity. Police believe the interview might be a violation of the lese majeste law, constitute defamation and breach the Computer Crime Act. The Foreign Ministry has thus proceeded to revoke the former premier's two Thai passports. Police, meanwhile, are preparing for criminal action against Thaksin.
In the interview that launched the ferocious reaction, Thaksin claimed that privy councillors supported the anti-government People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) protests that culminated in the coup that toppled the government of his sister Yingluck.
Gen Prayut promptly dismissed Thaksin's allegation. The premier said he made his own decision and risked his life in staging the May 22 coup. He also insisted he was not ordered by anyone to do it.
There can be no denying that the ousted prime minister is a polarising figure who inspires both admiration and hatred among people in the country. The claim he made in the Seoul interview is also controversial.
Still, the military leaders should look to the past many years of political conflicts and take into account how rampant use of the lese majeste law to taint and silence people seen as standing on the opposite side have backfired on the institution of the monarchy.
It is not only ungraceful for people to involve the revered institution in political matters, but the lese majeste law is a problematic piece of legislation in itself.
It has a major loophole in allowing any individual to file a charge against other people without being the damaged party, which does not conform to an acceptable legal standard. It also carries a harsh jail term of three to 15 years.
To use the lese majeste law in its present shape against anyone, be they a controversial former premier or an ordinary citizen, inevitably means starting a new controversy in which the person being prosecuted may claim they are victimised by a contentious law.
The news that police are investigating Thaksin for the alleged royal insult has already provoked strong reactions from people who are for and against the deposed prime minister, as well as from those who support and oppose the lese majeste law.
With the army assigning one of its officials to file a formal complaint against Thaksin for violating the lese majeste law, the issue is set to become more intense in the days to come. The onus is on the military regime to ensure that the situation will remain under control.