The National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) on Wednesday morning briefed foreign military attaches in Thailand on the reasons the military felt it had to take over the country's administration on May 22, in the hope they will help explain the situation in their home countries, Col Veerachon Sukonthapatipak said.
Col Veerachon, an NCPO spokesman, said military attaches of 22 countries were invited to attend today's session, but only those from 18 countries turned up -- Australia, Canada, China, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Myanmar, Pakistan, the Philippines, Russia, Singapore, Sweden, the United Kingdom, the United States, Vietnam and South Korea.
The attaches of Cambodia, Laos, Spain and Kuwait said they had other engagements and could not attend.
Col Veerachon said he explained to the military attaches that the army had to take over the country's administration to end the problems which had long accumulated.
He told the attaches that the army could not stay idle and see Thai people die or suffer from injuries as a result of the political conflict.
Since May 22, the Thai people had kept the NCPO under close watch with high expectations. So. the NCPO had to be extremely careful in taking every action.
The night curfew imposed was to facilitate the NCPO's operations and had eventually been lifted throughout the country.
The NCPO is trying to make many changes for the betterment of the country. There will be elections after the situation has returned to normal, he said.
Concerning Section 112 of the Criminal Code, or the lese majeste law, Col Veerachon said he explained to them that the law is intended to protect the royal institution.
He asked all friendly countries be patient and to give the NCPO some time to solve the problems.
Col Veerachon said the NCPO will invite military attaches to weekly briefings.