Army chief Gen Apirat Kongsompong dismissed talk on Monday that he may become the next prime minister by insisting that he will never enter politics.
He was speaking after reporters on Saturday asked Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon to comment on speculation that Gen Apirat was likely to succeed Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha as prime minister.
In response, Gen Prawit said:''I don't know, but it will be nice if he does [becomes prime minister].''
Speaking after a meeting with the House committee on state security, border affairs, national strategy and national reform on Monday, Gen Apirat said his becoming prime minister was not possible.
"I'm still a state official as well as a senator so cannot be [prime minister] according to the constitution.
Asked about the possibility of him entering politics, the army chief said he would rather be friends with politicians. "I won't play politics. I won't play with politicians."
Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam said that under the constitution, the army chief must wait two years after his retirement before he can assume any cabinet portfolio.
Gen Apirat had earlier returned from Kanchanaburi unexpectedly to meet the House committee after earlier saying he was unavailable.
Gen Apirat had been scheduled to visit the Surasee Task Force in Kanchanaburi province.
The U-turn came after the House committee repeated its request -- this time more formally -- for Gen Apirat to attend in order to discuss his controversial lecture on national security delivered on Oct 11.
The lecture sparked speculation that he may be Gen Prayut's successor as prime minister.
During the lecture at the army headquarters, Gen Apirat said the royal institution, the military and people were inseparable and some politicians and academics remained communistic in their thoughts.
Gen Apirat also lashed out at a politician who met Hong Kong student activist Joshua Wong.
The army chief did not name the politician but showed a picture of the activist and another person whose image was removed from the frame.
On Mr Wong's Facebook account, the same picture showed Mr Wong and Mr Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit.
However, Mr Thanathorn denied allegations that he was closely involved with the protesters.
The House committee chaired by FFP deputy leader Lt Gen Pongsakorn Rodchompu wanted to discuss Gen Apirat to discuss the matter.
Gen Apirat apparently had a swift change of heart, after the army told the House committee that Gen Apirat was not available to meet them and that assistant army chief Gen Sunai Praphuchanay would attend instead.
Gen Apirat turned up at parliament to meet the committee at about 10.50am, 50 minutes after the closed-door meeting was scheduled to begin. He was accompanied by Gen Sunai.
The army chief told reporters before going into the meeting that he had decided to cancel his Kanchanaburi visit at the last minute to meet the House committee promptly. He said he was ready for an exchange of opinions.
"It was brought to my attention that the legislature and the executive branch really needed to talk to me. The army attaches great importance to this. So I cut short my trip to attend the meeting. I even changed uniform in my vehicle and I am ready to answer any questions," Gen Apirat said.
Earlier, at about 10am, committee chairman Lt Gen Pongsakorn said the House committee wanted Gen Apirat there in person to testify because he had given the lecture.
The panel did not intend to interfere with Gen Apirat's work but wanted an exchange of opinions, he said.
After the meeting, Gen Apirat said the atmosphere was amicable but declined to give details.