The military will enforce strict security measures in Bangkok next month to prevent any disturbances as the regime is expected to ease long-held restrictions on political activities.
Army chief Chalermchai Sittisad said on Friday the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) is likely to at least partially lift the ban on political parties in September so political groups and parties can re-engage in politics.
As such, the Peace and Order Maintaining Force must be on standby around the clock, Gen Chalermchai said during a visit to the army's Air Defence Command in Bangkok's Don Muang district.
"The Air Defence Command is a military unit close to the city centre, making it a vulnerable spot. Anything could happen there at anytime, so we need to be ready at all times," the army chief said.
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha said the NCPO will meet on Tuesday to consider easing the ban. Details will be provided later by Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam, who oversees legal affairs, Gen Prayut added.
The premier said he had instructed the government's legal team to look at what problems both the political ban and the organic law on political parties pose, so the NCPO meeting can thrash out solutions.
"When poll-related problems crop up, this doesn't mean the related laws are to blame. They are intended for political reform," Gen Prayut said.
Democrat Party deputy leader Nipit Intarasombat called on the NCPO to make clear what activities parties will be allowed to carry out without breaking the law.
He expected the organic bill on the election of MPs to be published in the Royal Gazette next month, but its enactment will be put on hold for 90 days as proposed by the National Legislative Assembly.
This means the bill will take effect in December, by which time the political ban will need to have been fully lifted so parties can prepare for the poll, which is tentatively scheduled for Feb 24.
The bill on the election of MPs is awaiting royal endorsement. It is the last of 10 organic laws that must be promulgated before the election can take place.
After it is endorsed by the King and published in the Royal Gazette, it will come into effect 90 days later. The constitution requires an election be held within 150 days of that date.
Activities that will be permitted after the ban is eased include party meetings to select executives and recruit members; giving opinions on the demarcation of constituencies; conducting primary votes to choose poll candidates; setting up committees to select poll candidates; and contacting party members, Mr Nipit said.
Key Pheu Thai figure Chaturon Chaisang said the NCPO meeting on Tuesday will only allow parties to "walk" rather than practice "running" even though the race will take place relatively soon.
"It's going to be hard for those parties that are almost like children in the sense that they've just learned how to walk, but must now prepare to sprint at short notice," Mr Chaturon said.
He said a partial lifting of the political ban would not be good enough to give all political parties a fair chance.
They need time to talk to members and the public to gather opinions and present policies, Mr Chaturon said.
"This may be a way of forcing parties to ask that the election be delayed [again]," he said.
Jade Donavanik, an adviser to the Constitution Drafting Committee, said that since the organic law on political parties has taken effect, the political ban should be totally lifted so parties can prepare for the poll.
He said there was no real need to wait for the bill on the election of MPs to be enacted.
Moreover, the NCPO should embark on serious talks with political parties to discuss easing the ban, he said.
This will give the reconciliation process a better chance of taking off, Mr Jade added.