When Gen Apirat Kongsompong was appointed new army chief in the annual military reshuffle, it was generally assumed his job was to further cement the current regime's position.
So his recent refusal to rule out another coup if fresh political unrest breaks out after a general election was never likely to raise too many eyebrows. However, it also provided a glimpse ahead to future political scenarios that may play out, according to a source in the military.
The army commander was responding to a question during a press conference last week asking whether he would be prepared to stage another coup.
Gen Apirat replied: "If politics does not create riots, nothing will happen. There have been more than 10 military coups in the past, but previous ones were the result of political unrest."
Critics saw the remark as a pro-coup stance with fears that another military takeover could be just around the corner, particularly if the former ruling Pheu Thai Party wins the upcoming election and garners enough House seats to form a coalition government.
It is widely speculated that a new administration led by Pheu Thai could face military retaliation if it attempts to remove generals appointed by the regime.
"Pheu Thai is likely to have a hard time running the country and may face another round of street protests that could enable the military to justify a coup," the source said.
However, it is believed the regime will opt for the "less extreme" tactic of preventing Pheu Thai taking the reins in the first place, the source added.
One possibility is that parties will be lobbied to join hands with the pro-military Palang Pracharath Party in order to isolate the Pheu Thai after the poll, although this scenario too could see troops on the streets once more if anti-regime protesters stir up unrest.
The source said Gen Apirat's stance on the coup issue has people worried because few are convinced the Palang Pracharath Party, known to be a vehicle to support Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha to return as the premier if he wishes, can win the election outright.
While the signs are clear and strong that the poll will take place next year, questions remain as to whether the regime, which has ruled the country for more than four years, will allow the old political clique to return to power.
Gen Apirat is known to be against the "Thaksin regime" and there has been no love lost between him and the red-shirt United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) movement, according to the source.
When he commanded the 11st Infantry Regiment during the political violence in 2010, he and members of Class 20 of the Armed Forces Academies Preparatory School gathered to voice support for then army chief Anupong Paochinda in what was seen as an indirect warning to the late Maj-Gen Khattiya Sawasdipol, an avid red shirt supporter, who was reportedly hostile towards Gen Anupong.
Maj-Gen Khattiya, better known as Seh Daeng, was a suspect in a grenade attack on Gen Anupong's office at the army headquarters at that time and a regular critic of the army chief. The rogue officer also declared support for ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra and aligned himself with the red-shirt group.
Gen Apirat also led a raid to retake the Thaicom satellite station in Pathum Thani which was under siege from red-shirt protesters in 2010. Ever since then he is said to have been on the UDD's blacklist.
Gen Apirat was kept away from key posts after Pheu Thai came to power. Gen Prayut, then army commander, had lobbied former prime minister and defence minister Yingluck Shinawatra for his appointment as commander of the 1st Division, King's Guard, which played a key role in the May 22, 2014 putsch, according to the source.
At the army's helm, Gen Apirat has overwhelming military power and personnel at his disposal to carry out a coup if he wishes.
Gen Apirat is also secretary-general of the National Council for Peace and Order and commander of its Peacekeeping Force that controls the three armed forces and the police.
It is believed the other military leaders would back him if he decides to take action to defuse street violence, although Supreme Commander Pornpipat Benyasri has made a recent attempt to play down the coup talk.
"There have been no signs of potentially serious conflicts or unrest. So let us not jump the gun about incidents that have not happened, or are unlikely to occur, and make people worried," Gen Pornpipat said.
With the election on its way, Gen Apirat is clearly aware of criticism about the military exploiting resources and, as the source notes, talking about a coup is one thing but pulling it off is an entirely different matter.
Gen Apirat, who was assistant army chief before his latest promotion, has two years to serve before his mandatory retirement in 2020.