The Defence Ministry has warned that violence is "likely" unless the public can unite and stop instigating social and political hatred.
Maj Gen Surachart Jitjaeng, chief of the public relations and information section at the Office of the Minister of Defence, said yesterday that political tensions had ratcheted up this week in the wake of the Constitution Court's charter amendment ruling.
The court on Wednesday found the government's attempt to alter the make-up of the Senate was unlawful.
Maj Gen Surachart said the court judgement had fuelled political problems, and called for calm until the divide can be bridged. "The political situation has developed to the point where divisions are deep-rooted inside all organisations," he said.
"The mass media is also divided. The same issue is reported differently [by different media outlets] and imposed with different beliefs and prejudices.
"Rival parties do not listen to others' opinions. There are attempts to capture political victory for the interest of specific groups and their associates."
Maj Gen Surachart said if nothing is done to heal the current conflict, an outbreak of violence is "likely" and could pose a major risk to the nation.
"The atmosphere of division has gradually developed for nine years ... There should be negotiations because everyone loves and has good intentions for Thailand," Maj Gen Surachart said.
He said history teaches that society is destroyed when its people are divided.
He asked whether Thai people still had positive attitudes and good intentions to justify the country's image as the "Land of Smiles".
Maj Gen Surachart pointed out that the present political situation was undermining national security.
He urged the media to convince all rival parties to stop thinking only of themselves and enter into rational negotiations for the national interest.
He said it was time for the public to unite and tell all parties to stop sowing hatred and hurting the nation, adding it must be done "before it is too late".