Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has played down talk of 79-year-old former Democrat leader Chuan Leekpai returning as prime minister in the wake of Malaysia's Mahathir Mohamad staging a comeback as the world's oldest premier after his shock election win this week.
"Thailand should have its own 'architecture' in politics," he said. "We can't always use other countries as a benchmark."
"Today, Thais have learned more and understand democracy better," he said.
"It remains to be seen what choice the people will make [in the general election scheduled for February]."
Pundits have been speculating whether Mr Chuan will attempt to rekindle his career as leader of the Democrat Party and lead a campaign to contest the poll.
The rumour mill began grinding with renewed fervour this week after Dr Mahathir smashed the ruling National Front's seemingly iron-clad, 60-year grip on power.
Moreover, incumbent Democrat leader Abhisit Vejjajiva said earlier he would not rule out the prospect of Mr Chuan retaking the reins.
He said the septuagenarian still commands wide respect from party members and is known for his honesty and integrity, but has not yet expressed a willingness to return to the post.
Mr Chuan, who led the party from 1991-2003, now serves as its chief adviser.
On Monday he refused to comment on whether he would return.
Apart from the prime minister's comments about Mr Chuan, Korkaew Pikulthong, a former Pheu Thai MP, who is also a key figure in the red-shirt United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship, said Pheu Thai did not mind if the Democrats wanted to support Mr Chuan.
He said such a move would be fine as long as the party avoided vouching for a non-elected or "outsider" prime minister after the poll.
Former energy minister Pichai Naripthaphan, also of Pheu Thai, posted a message on his Facebook account Wednesday stating that the Democrats' move to back Mr Chuan shows the party is losing hope in Mr Abhisit.
Meanwhile, Gen Prayut said he had not yet fixed a date for a meeting scheduled tentatively for June between the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO), political parties and related agencies about preparations for the poll.
Topics for discussion at the meeting will include the resumption of parties' activities, which must proceed on a step-by-step basis, and rules for them to run their political campaigns in a way that does not stir up conflict, Gen Prayut told the assembled media after his weekly cabinet meeting at Government House.
The premier also brushed aside a suggestion by Suwat Liptapanlop, chief adviser to the Chartthaipattana Party, that he adopt the so-called "no problem" catchphrase used by the late former prime minister Chatichai Choonhavan.
Mr Suwat said the model was aimed at "embracing all involved in conflict to defuse problems".
Gen Chatichai served as prime minister from 1988-1991 and was known for using the phrase whenever he was confronted with criticism of his administration.
Gen Prayut said that all parties must accept the result of the election. They should also promise that there will be no protests, conflicts or use of violence, he added.
He also questioned what would happen if an elected government proved incapable of functioning well after being installed.
"That could lead to another coup, a situation no one wants," he said.
Gen Prayut said he wanted the election to take place as scheduled and would not be looking for any reason to delay it further.
He said returning to democratic rule is important but so too is the need to find high-calibre MPs and a competent government that can lead the country forward.
The premier said he hoped the next government would continue with the first phase of reform set out under his watch in line with the 20-year national strategy.
Gen Prayut also insisted that the cabinet's previous trips to the provinces were not meant to court politicians to support him to return as premier after the election.
"When local people met me, I asked them not to kiss me because my wife would get jealous. And the ones who kissed me were only old people," he said.
Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam confirmed Wednesday that the NCPO would organise a meeting with all of the political parties in June to thrash out several issues.
Speculation is rife that the NCPO will lift the ban on political activities next month to allow parties to prepare properly for the highly anticipated poll, which has already been delayed numerous times.
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