Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha has made clear the army's stance amid rising political tension by demanding that all sides not drag soldiers into disputes between protesters and the government.
Protesters cheer after entering the army compound on Friday to press for the military's support for the anti-government campaign. (Photo by Panumas Sanguanwong)
The army chief also urged a quick and peaceful solution to the crisis and said the army was ready to protect people if violence looms.
"The army calls for protests on all sides to be carried out under the democratic system and within the rule of law," he said in a statement read out by army spokesman Col Winthai Suwaree. "[Protesters] should refrained from [causing] division and trying to bring the army to be on their side.
"The army would like to inform the public that the army is the army of His Majesty the King and the people. [The army] is monitoring the situation and is prepared to help people if there are injuries or the loss of lives from protests which could lead to violence."
Maj Gen Chamlong Srimuang also joined the protest at the army head office. (Photo by Wassayos Ngamkham)
The statement was issued after more than 1,000 protesters led by the Network of Students and People for Thailand's Reform entered the army headquarters near a rally site on Ratchadamnoen Nok Avenue. They called on Gen Prayuth and his troops to join their side to oust the government and the "Thaksin regime".
Network leader Uthai Yodmanee said the army should join the protesters to protect the monarchy from the government which had rejected the rule of law. He was referring to the Pheu Thai Party's public rejection of the Nov 20 Constitution Court ruling that a charter amendment related to the Senate was unconstitutional.
Maj Gen Chamlong Srimuang, a former leader of the People's Alliance for Democracy, and Adm Prajun Tamprateep, the former head of the Privy Council President's Office, joined the protesters on the lawn of the army compound.
They occupied the site at 12.20pm before dispersing two hours later with no injuries or reported. A gate at the compound was damaged and was being fixed after the demonstrators returned to their rally base.
On the other side of the capital, the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship set up a counter-rally at the Rajamangala National Stadium to show support for the government.
An army spokesman said the army did not treat protesters as its enemies as they only had different political opinions.
Gen Nipat Thonglek, the permanent secretary for defence, said police were responsible for handling the situation and there was no need to bring in soldiers for the operation.
After meeting with Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, who is also the defence minister, and some other ministers at Government House, Gen Nipat also called on the demonstrators to leave all the government offices they had been occupying.
In a bid to counter the rallies beginning on Nov 1, the prime minister declared the extension of the Internal Security Act to all districts of Bangkok and Nonthaburi provinces, as well as Bang Phli district in Samut Prakan, where Suvarnabhumi Airport is located, and Lat Lum Kaeo district in Pathum Thani.
Video by Panumas Sanguanwong