The National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) will form a political party if it is thought necessary, but for now it is not necessary, Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon said on Monday.
He was responding to reporters when asked to confirm that the NCPO would not set up a political party and enter the political arena.
"Why must I give a confirmation? The NCPO will not be involved in politics. But if it is necessary, it will be set up. If it is not, it will not be set up," Gen Prawit said.
Asked again if it was necessary, Gen Prawit quickly replied that it had not been necessary so far, and he had no idea if a political party would be established.
Asked if anyone from the NCPO had quietly set up a political party, Gen Prawit said no one had done that.
He also insisted that he had never met a politician to discuss future political affairs. He said the mass media usually wrongly reported his remarks.
Reporters then asked if the Palang Chart Thai Party that Maj Gen Songklod Tiprat formed and led was to facilitate the NCPO's prolonging its hold on power.
In response, Gen Prawit said he did not know about the party or Maj Gen Songklod.
It is reported Maj Gen Songklod is working on reform issues for the NCPO.
Last month Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha said the general election will be in November next year and that he will announce the date in June.