The Pheu Thai Party stands firm in proposing the amendment of Section 291 of the constitution, but will not touch Section 112 of the Criminal Code, the lese majeste law, government chief whip Udomdet Rattanasathien said on Wednesday.
Mr Udomdet said Pheu Thai wanted Section 291 of the constitution amended to make way for the formation of a constitution drafting assembly, which would require the people's participation and was likely to be more acceptable than other forms of charter-writing bodies.
The government would definitely not seek to amend Section 112 of the Criminal Code regarding lese majeste, he said.
The chief government whip said the Nitirat group of law lecturers from Thammasat University had the right to propose the amendment of the lese majeste law, but the government would not get involved.
Mr Udomdet said he expected draft constitutional amendments from various groups such as Pheu Thai and other coalition parties, as well as the people's sector, would be submitted to the House of Representatives for consideration in February.
The constitutional amendment process in the House was expected to begin in March, he said.
Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yubamrung
Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra made it clear to the public yesterday that the government would not amend the lese majeste law, saying the institution of the monarchy should be protected and not interfered with.
Deputy Prime Minister and Pheu Thai core member Chalerm Yubamrung took the same tone, saying the government will not amend the lese majeste law as demanded by the Nitirat group.
"I totally disagree with the Nitirat group's call for a change to Section 112 of the Criminal Code.
"As for the call for a change in the monarchy section of the constitution, I think the group might be taking the wrong medication and nobody would support them," Mr Chalerm said.
National army chief Prayuth Chan-ocha expressed concern for the royal institution over the Nitirat call for a change in the lese majeste law.
"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.
Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha
"I want to ask those 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.
National police chief Priewpan Damapong said police will take decisive action against people who violate Section 112.
He said the Royal Thai Police Office is responsible for protecting the royal institution.
"If any groups or individuals break the lese majeste law, they will be prosecuted, definitely," Pol Gen Priewpan said.
The Special Branch Police and other relevant agencies will oversee movements concerning the lese majeste law and will keep a close eye on anti-monarchy messages posted on the internet, he said.
Police spokesman Piya Uthayo said academics can express their views on the lese majeste law, but the police will take legal action against any groups of people who break the law.
Pol Maj Gen Piya said authorities had not found more websites with anti-monarchy content recently.