Army chief Prayuth Chan-ocha on Friday expressed concern about the risk of civil war if the political conflict continues, proposing the formation of a people's assembly comprising "all colours" to help heal the divide.
The army chief stressed his assembly would bear little resemblance to the "people's council" proposed by People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) protest group leader Suthep Thaugsuban.
"The people's assembly must not be organised or sponsored by any conflicting group, as it would not be accepted by the other side," he said.
"It must be from a neutral group and comprise non-core representatives of all colours, and all colour leaders must be excluded."
He was referring to the colour-coded politics of recent years, such as the traditionally pro-Pheu Thai red shirts and their yellow-shirt rivals.
Gen Prayuth was speaking after a meeting yesterday of the Defence Council, chaired by caretaker Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, who doubles as caretaker Defence Minister.
Representatives from each group would list how they have been unjustly treated and could discuss how to settle their differences, Gen Prayuth said.
Mr Suthep's proposed council would comprise 400 members, 300 of whom would be representatives from various professions and 100 of whom would be selected directly by the PDRC.
Gen Prayuth Chan-ochaproposes his own 'people's assembly' on Friday. (Photo by Apichart Jinakul)
Gen Prayuth did not offer specific details on what his proposed assembly would look like.
The army chief said he was deeply concerned by the political divisions, saying: "We must not look at the situation in Bangkok alone, but see what is happening in the provinces. The division is in all tambons and the situation could trigger a civil war."
He conceded he was unsure about who would form the "neutral group" in his assembly plan and would not say whether it should be formed before or after the Feb 2. Candidacy registration for the poll opens on Monday.
Gen Prayuth said some problems might be easily and quickly settled, and they could be dealt with first.
"We can fix the easier problems first, while more discussions would be needed for other problems," he said. "But the election schedule must not become a pre-condition for talks.
"Currently, no matter what proposal is made by a conflicting side, it will be rejected by the other side.
"The proposal must come from a public consensus and the public must brainstorm how to reach that consensus."
When asked whether the armed forces would act as the "neutral party", Gen Prayuth said: "I don't think they'd listen to me. They must decide themselves."
He strongly denied the armed forces had pressured the caretaker prime minister to resign, and also ruled out any possibility that the armed forces would stage a coup. "Don't talk about [a coup]with me again," he told reporters.
The Defence Council yesterday stressed the importance of the upcoming elections, defence spokesman Col Thanatip Sawangsaeng said.
In its meeting chaired by Ms Yingluck, the council urged the armed forces to treat all political parties fairly and open the barracks to all candidates contesting the elections, he said.
"The military is ready to support the Election Commission in organising the elections when asked," he said.
The meeting addressed the overall political situation and the general election, and was attended by armed forces commanders, Supreme Commander Thanasak Patimapagorn and defence permanent secretary Nipat Thonglek.
Meanwhile, Democrat Party representatives yesterday submitted a letter to the ruling Pheu Thai Party, demanding it postpones the election.
Democrat deputy leader Ong-art Klampaibul and party spokesman Chavanond Intarakomalyasut were greeted at Pheu Thai headquarters by a security guard, as no ruling executive was free to receive the letter.
Mr Ong-art demanded the guard find a party member who could receive the letter. Pheu Thai spokesman Prompong Nopparit eventually appeared and took the letter from Mr Ong-art.
Mr Ong-art said the Democrats want all political parties to talk about postponing the election. "About 90% of the party's former MPs disagree with the Feb 2 election," he said. The party is due to announce its decision today on whether it will contest the poll.
A Democrat source said if the party agreed to join the Feb 2 election, several former MPs, particularly those from Bangkok and the South, would most likely join anti-government protests instead of contesting the poll.
"The current political atmosphere does not allow for an election," he said.
Key Pheu Thai figure Somchai Wongsawat said Pheu Thai and its coalition partners are preparing to invite other political parties for talks on the solution to the political impasse tomorrow.
Mr Somchai believed other parties will agree with holding the Feb 2 general election as scheduled.
However, he would leave it up to the meeting to decide a stand.
Meanwhile, Anti Corruption Thailand (ACT) has voiced support for anti-government protesters' call for reform before the country goes to the polls.
ACT president Pramont Sutheewong said corruption was the root cause of the current political strife and attempts should be made to address it before elections are held.