Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha says he may need to remain in power as long as the country is not at peace.
Gen Prayut was speaking in parliament at Wednesday's meeting of the so-called "five rivers of power" -- the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO), the cabinet, the National Legislative Assembly, the Constitution Drafting Committee and the National Reform Steering Assembly.
He said the country has moved on to the stage where the NCPO is laying down regulations in the lead-up to elections.
The NCPO has unveiled a time frame of 20 months to write a charter, hold a referendum on it, enact organic laws and organise a general election.
As the NCPO proceeds with the roadmap, there must be no attempts to stir up sedition or hatred, Gen Prayut said.
"Politicians do not have to be suspicious of me. [The media] writes every day that I intend to cling on to power. I must make it clear. If there is no peace and order, I must stay on," he told the meeting.
"If there are attempts to bring people out [onto the streets], the movement leaders will be dealt with first," he added.
The premier insisted the five rivers must work together to end the country's conflicts, and he urged political parties to join the effort.
Gen Prayut recommended the five rivers set up a whip panel to coordinate work. He urged them to study the political conflicts and compare them with those in other countries so a solution could be tailored.
The premier said he does not want to see the old methods of tackling administrative gridlock, including the staging of coups, pave the way for constitutional amendment.
Attempts must be made to bring decent and capable people into parliament, while younger people must be allowed to serve in positions of power, he said.
Those in power, he said, must focus on taking care of the people and boosting the country's competitiveness rather than on their populist policies.
The essence is to guarantee equality of people under the same law, Gen Prayut said.
According to the prime minister, the government has tried to end the political conflict and other problems caused by politicians, such as the debt-ridden rice-pledging scheme.
Reforms must be undertaken by focusing on how the country can move forward, he said. The now-defunct National Reform Council had put in place crucial reform tasks, including modifying outdated laws and drafting new ones.
Speaking about police reform, which is one on a long list of reform priorities, Gen Prayut said the key to ushering in change rests with how to ensure police officers enjoy adequate welfare and be proud of their duty of protecting the public.
Turning to the budgetary system, he said cost effectiveness in state spending must be addressed with more state agency integration to ensure more productivity, and that in future, state agencies' performances must be strictly evaluated.
Gen Prayut insisted national reform must include aspects, such as the law, to ensure efficient combatting of smear campaigns against the monarchy.
"Today they still haven't stopped [offending the monarchy]," Gen Prayut said, adding: "If they continue, we will not tolerate it."