Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha refused to clarify whether the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) will step down from power after the February 2019 general election.

Speaking to reporters after a ceremony marking the 60th anniversary of the Armed Forces Academies Preparatory School in Nakhon Nayok, Gen Prayut said the NCPO would end its mission according to the roadmap. However, he did not specify when this would be.

Asked if the NCPO's mission will end in February 2019, the prime minister said only that it was "a legal matter."

When pressed, Gen Prayut said he could not rush the law-making procedure -- a reference to the organic bill on the election of MPs which cleared the National Legislative Assembly (NLA) last Thursday.

The bill will undergo fine-tuning before submission for royal endorsement in March.

A 90-day period is needed for royal endorsement. The NLA voted to extend the enforcement of the organic bill on MP elections by another 90 days. This will effectively result in the general election being delayed until February 2019. Gen Prayut had tentatively announced that an election would be held in November. 

Critics have slammed the 90-day extension, saying the NLA has used legal technicalities to help the regime cling to power. Asked if the delay will be the last, Gen Prayut prevaricated.

"I haven't delayed anything," he said.

When it was suggested that the government's popularity might be damaged if he stays in power longer than promised, the prime minister said he did not think this would have an impact. 

"My promise remains unchanged ... I will do my best and everything will proceed according to the roadmap. But some groups want the same old things to come back. So, make a choice between me or a return to the past," Gen Prayut said.

However, politicians and academics yesterday came out to demand Gen Prayut keep his promise to hold the election this November. Democrat Party deputy leader Nipit Intarasombat told the Bangkok Post that the delay will only make matters worse as many find it unacceptable.

Protests similar to those at Thammasat University and Siam Square will spread, Mr Nipit said. He added that he did not believe the police would intervene for fear the situation would get out of hand.

Chusak Sirinil, chief of Pheu Thai Party's legal team, said the prime minister had let the public down with his flawed explanation and accused him of fearmongering over his implication that choosing the political parties over him would be a step backwards.

Meanwhile, national police chief Chakthip Chaijinda yesterday said he has ordered a probe into the finances behind recent demonstrations held by anti-government elements such as the New Democracy Movement which is calling for an early election. Their voices join that of the People Go Network (PGN), an umbrella group of activists and academics which launched a 450km civic march from Pathum Thani to Khon Kaen last week.

The groups are protesting over delays to the election, the luxury watch scandal encircling the deputy prime minister and curbs on people's rights.