The military will likely bow to journalists' demand and amend its controversial No. 97 announcement.
Defence permanent secretary Surasak Kanchanarat agreed to forward the media's proposal to the chief of the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO), who is reportedly "uncomfortable" about the backlash.
Four media groups met Gen Surasak, who acted on behalf of the NCPO, today to discuss the announcement.
They wanted the junta to revise or scrap the order, especially Item 5, said Pradit Ruangdit, chairman of the Thai Journalists Association.
Item 5 stipulates an immediate ban on the sale, distribution or broadcasting of the media, as well as legal action, if their reporting is considered "a threat to national security or defamation of others".
They also did not like Item 3, which bans the criticising of the NCPO's operations, staff and related persons.
As well, they pledged to campaign on two issues: stopping hate speech and asserting the media's role with responsibility.
They also planned to invite the editors of all media to discuss the direction under the junta's rule.
But if the NCPO amends the order before then, the meeting may be scrapped.
The four media groups are the Thai Journalists Association, the Thai Broadcast Journalists Association, the National Press Council of Thailand and the News Broadcasting Council of Thailand.
Meanwhile, Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva warned the current peace might not be permanent and reconciliation might not happen if the NCPO continued to censor “people who hold different opinions” and did not accept criticism.
The present peace can be proved sustainable only when freedom of expression and political movements are allowed to flourish, said the former prime minister.
Also on Monday, the anti-coup Free Thai for Human Rights and Democracy movement issued a statement condemning the order.
"One of the profound effects of Order 97/2557 is that the ordinary views of ordinary Thais will be pushed further underground, existing only in a state of fear, an impossible situation for any sane and rational population to endure," it said.
It urged the Thai and international media community continue with their support for ordinary Thais and condemn outright the order. "We can only defend our freedoms collectively and the most basic right to criticise the increasing repression of the NCPO must not be given up lightly".