The head of Thailand's army on Tuesday urged political divides to be solved in parliament, as anger and frustration mount in the aftermath of a disputed election.
The military-linked Phalang Pracharat party clinched the popular vote in the March 24 ballot, the first since a 2014 coup.
But inconsistent numbers in the first round of counting sowed suspicion over the result and calls have mounted for members of the Election Commission to be dismissed.
Royal Thai Army commander in chief Apirat Kongsompong urged competing sides to "help solve problems in parliament, debate in parliament".
"But I cannot accept if Thai people come out trying to solve problems on the streets again,” he told reporters.
He dismissed suggestion of a coup and said there were other steps to control outbreaks of violence such as declaring a state of emergency.
“Making a coup is not easy. It depends on several situations," he said.
Thailand has been battered by turbulent politics for decades, and has seen more than a dozen coups since it became a constitutional monarchy in 1932.
Demonstrations and an online petition that has garnered nearly a million signatures have heaped pressure on the Election Commission, but it has stood by the results.
The full breakdown will not be ratified until May 9, but analysts say the confusion has fueled public mistrust.
Phalang Pracharat's popular vote edge has been challenged by Pheu Thai, the party linked to self-exiled billionaire Thaksin Shinawatra.
Pheu Thai has teamed up with six other parties in a coalition that is laying claim to a majority of seats in the lower house and the right to form a government.
But rules created under Thailand's junta mean 250 military-appointed senators can vote for prime minister, giving Phalang Pracharat a built-in edge.
The party has put forward 2014 coup leader and junta chief Prayut Chan-O-Cha as its candidate for premier.
One of the senate seats is reserved for the head of the army.
When asked who he would throw his support behind with a senate vote, Apirat said: "I already have a good person in mind."
The head of Thailand’s army on Tuesday urged political divides to be solved in parliament, as anger and frustration mount in the aftermath of a disputed election.
The military-linked Phalang Pracharat party clinched the popular vote in the March 24 ballot, the first since a 2014 coup.
But inconsistent numbers in the first round of counting sowed suspicion over the result and calls have mounted for members of the Election Commission to be dismissed.
Royal Thai Army commander in chief Apirat Kongsompong urged competing sides to “help solve problems in parliament, debate in parliament”.
“But I cannot accept if Thai people come out trying to solve problems on the streets again,” he told reporters.
He dismissed suggestion of a coup and said there were other steps to control outbreaks of violence such as declaring a state of emergency.
“Making a coup is not easy. It depends on several situations,” he said.
Thailand has been battered by turbulent politics for decades, and has seen more than a dozen coups since it became a constitutional monarchy in 1932.
Demonstrations and an online petition that has garnered nearly a million signatures have heaped pressure on the Election Commission, but it has stood by the results.
The full breakdown will not be ratified until May 9, but analysts say the confusion has fueled public mistrust.
Phalang Pracharat’s popular vote edge has been challenged by Pheu Thai, the party linked to self-exiled billionaire Thaksin Shinawatra.
Pheu Thai has teamed up with six other parties in a coalition that is laying claim to a majority of seats in the lower house and the right to form a government.
But rules created under Thailand’s junta mean 250 military-appointed senators can vote for prime minister, giving Phalang Pracharat a built-in edge.
The party has put forward 2014 coup leader and junta chief Prayut Chan-O-Cha as its candidate for premier.
One of the senate seats is reserved for the head of the army.
When asked who he would throw his support behind with a senate vote, Apirat said: “I already have a good person in mind.”
