National army chief Prayuth Chan-ocha has expressed concern for the royal institution over the call by a group of academics for a change in the lese majeste law.
Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha (Photo by Wassana Nanuam)
"There are some academics who are trying to create a movement but I believe that most academics respect the royal institution since it has brought many benefits to the country over a long time and the country wouldn't be here today without it.
"I want to ask some academics what benefits have they brought to the country," Gen Prayuth said on Wednesday.
The army chief said he was ready to protect the institution if some scholars made offensive comments about it.
A group of law lecturers from Thammasat University, known as the Nitirat (Enlightened Jurists) group, has called on the government to amend Section 112 of the Criminal Code, known as the lese majeste law, to protect freedom of speech.
Gen Prayuth said he had spoken to new Defence Minister Sukumpol Suwanatat.
"ACM Sukumpol told me that he's ready to look after the interests of the country and the armed forces, but he might not be able to expedite cabinet approval for some military projects," he said.