Palang Pracharath, leader of the multi-party coalition government under Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, is firm in its opposition to moves to amend Section 112 of the Criminal Code, the lese majeste law, PPRP leader Gen Prawit Wongsuwon affirmed on Tuesday.
Gen Prawit was responding to the announcement by two opposition parties, Pheu Thai and Move Forward, that they would move for the parliament to amend Section 112, along with Section 116, which concerns sedition.
The PPRP has a clear standpoint regarding the royal institution, Gen Prawit said.
"We will pursue the party's policy of maintaining the royal institution, which has built the nation. Palang Pracharath will definitely oppose the proposed amendments. We will listen to the people's opinions, will help them to a better quality of life and uphold the principle of peaceful co-existence," Gen Prawit said.
Asked whether he was worried that other political parties had now raised the issue of lese majeste for discussion, Gen Prawit said, "I don't know. Go ask them."
Asked whether he would worry if the issue was raised for discussion in parliament, he said, "No. All parties in the government bloc must stand united."
Asked whether he, as PPRP leader, was worried the party might not have sufficient support as many important bills were due for deliberation in the House of Representatives, Gen Prawit said: "No. There will not be any problem since all coalition parties are united as one."
Gen Prawit said the prime minister could rest assured that the PPRP would support all government-sponsored legislation in the House of Representatives.
"No problems. He (Gen Prayut) has nothing to worry about. The only thing for him to do is work," he said.
The Pheu Thai Party under its new leader Chonlanan Srikaew, a Nan MP, announced on Sunday its support for the amendment of Section 112, which it said was being abused by people in power to subvert justice.
Pheu Thai's announcement was welcomed by the Move Forward Party on Monday.
Rangsiman Rome, deputy secretary general of Move Forward, said MPs could now push ahead with proposed amendments in the House of Representatives.
The announcement by Pheu Thai coincided with a rally held on Monday at the Ratchaprasong intersection by pro-democracy and anti-establishment groups, demanding the repeal of the lese majeste law and the release from detention of protest leaders.