It is not up to the top brass to decide on the Rattha Bukkhon group's proposal seeking His Majesty the King's intervention to help solve the political impasse, it is for the whole of society to decide, army chief Prayuth Chan-ocha said on Tuesday.
However, he praised the group for at least proposing a way out, unlike people who seek only to blame others without regard for the damage being caused to the country.
Former supreme commander Gen Saiyud Kerdpol, leader of Rattha Bukkhon (State Citizens) group, on Monday submitted letters to the chiefs of the three armed forces asking them to seek His Majesty the King's advice on bringing the kingdom out of the political crisis.
Gen Saiyud said he would wait for their answers until Wednesday. Details of the contents of the letters were not made public.
Gen Prayuth said he had received the letter and had read it. He said he "only listened" to the group's proposal. He did not indicate how the military chiefs would respond to it.
"We only listened to it. It’s only his idea, and he is not forcing anyone [to agree with it]. He only proposes it for consideration,” Gen Prayuth said.
Prayuth Chan-ocha (Bangkok Post file photo)
The armed forces chiefs last week discussed the plan for an interim government under Section 7 of the constitution being pushed by People’s Democratic Reform Committee leader Suthep Thaugsuban and Rattha Bukkhon, which comprises retired senior military personnel.
They agreed then that the option was not appropriate as it could disturb His Majesty, who is the King for all Thais, according to a military source.
Gen Prayuth said society should not put blame on Rattha Bukkhon for proposing a controversial option, as all Thais should have the right to come up with a proposed solution.
The proposal by Gen Saiyud and his group was only one of several being offered to bring the country out of the crisis, Gen Prayuth said, adding that everyone wanted to help restore peace and normality to the kingdom.
“Whether such an option can be done or not, it depends on the rules, acceptance, propriety and many other factors that need careful study to ensure it would not create more conflict in the future,” Gen Prayuth said.
“It’s not about if soldiers agree or disagree it can proceed right way. There are many more procedures and authorities with direct responsibiities to consider this matter.”
The army chief said he admired the Rattha Bukkhon group for its loyalty to the royal institution and its good intention in trying to restore peace to the country.
“They are better than many people who do nothing and only blame others, people who don’t even think about how much damage has been done to the country,” he said.