Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha's criticism of an interview given by former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra has led some to believe the deposed premier may face a travel ban for speaking out about the May 22 coup that overthrew her administration.
Asked whether politicians are now allowed to discuss political matters in public, Gen Prayut said the National Council for Peace and Order was taking care of this matter and would decide on a clear set of rules about what kind of statements should be allowed and what should be prohibited.
"Whenever anyone causes unrest, there are rules [to deal with them], ranging from soft to tough ones.
"Some may not be permitted to travel abroad ... the next level may be that they are banned from financial transactions. These are the rules," said Gen Prayut.
When asked whether Ms Yingluck's interview had earned her a ban on overseas trips, Gen Prayut remained coy, and asked reporters whether anyone else has been banned yet.
Gen Prayut was highly critical of an analogy Ms Yingluck used in her interview with the Bangkok Post on Monday, where she said being elected was like being "handed the car keys" to Thailand and asked to drive.
When the coup-makers seized power Ms Yingluck said it was as though someone had "put a gun to her head" and told her to get out of the car "while she was driving the people forward".
However, Gen Prayut was unconvinced.
"Who put a gun to her head?" he asked yesterday.
When asked to comment on Ms Yingluck's declaration she would run in the next election, Gen Prayut said questions about the poll should be directed at the Election Commission (EC), not him.
If the EC rules that Ms Yingluck cannot participate in the election, then she cannot, he said.
However, if the EC rules she can, then she can, he said, adding that he has no say in the EC's decision.