Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has vowed to open the floor for students to share opinions on reform following recent "three-finger salute" protests.
Gen Prayut said after the weekly cabinet meeting yesterday that he did not oppose students expressing opinions but they should be shared in the right forum to bring concrete results for national reform.
"I want to organise a forum for them," Gen Prayut said, urging students and scholars to send representatives to provide input for the national reform plan.
"When the forum begins, participants must [present ideas with] documents. Please do not stage protests at this time," Gen Prayut added.
The forum for students was the premier's attempt to calm youngsters who oppose the military's approach to the political situation after university students in Khon Kaen and Bangkok flashed the three-finger salute in public last week at protests.
Gen Prayut also believes some are attempting to disrupt authorities' work and the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) needs to examine the matter and enforce the laws to prevent such incidents.
Asked about the recent transfer of five police officers in Khon Kaen after the Hunger Games salute protest, Gen Prayut said it was an internal police matter and could be due to problems in performing their duties.
"Officers told me the transfer was a necessary punishment to prevent similar incidents. But I do not believe it will affect police morale as they have created understanding among the officers," Gen Prayut said.
The Royal Thai Police Office has become more wary of protests against the government after five Khon Kaen University students flashed the three-finger salute while Gen Prayut spoke at Khon Kaen provincial hall last Wednesday.
Following Gen Prayut's initiative, the National Reform Council and the King Prajadhipok's Institute are now preparing to hold a student forum, said the NRC chairman, Thienchay Kiranandana.
This forum is not a public political gathering, which is barred by martial law, he stressed. It only serves as another means of gathering views on reform.
Government and security authorities will also join the forum along with representatives of university students, Mr Thienchay said.
The student forum should be convened in mid-December, said Thawinwadi Burikun, King Prajadhipok's Institute's director of research and development.