Prayut was speaking yesterday at Suvarnabhumi Airport after returning to Thailand.

“The US president gave us moral support and wished us success when he learned that we are moving forward on a democratic path. He did not pressure us – that we must do it now or do it swiftly or face punishment,” Prayut said.

The PM said only Thais tried to pressure the government to speed up the return to democracy.

“If we want to reform, we have to respect the rules. We have to follow steps to be democratic,” he said.

“I did not see that he despises me. Some people may feel sorry because they did not get to shake hands [with Obama]. He shook my hands firmly. He has etiquette.”

Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai denied reports that the US pressured Thailand about a return to democracy. “The US president just briefly said in a press conference that he wished democracy returned to Thailand,” Don said. Meanwhile the Court of Appeals yesterday upheld the ruling of a lower court to acquit Prayut and four other members of the National Council for Peace and Order on charges of treason, staging a coup and “overthrowing” the Constitution.

The suit was filed by a group of 15 political activists led by Pansak Srithep.

The Court of Appeals acquitted the defendants based on the 2014 interim charter imposed by the junta clearing itself of any wrongdoing for any actions related to the coup.

The Criminal Court on May 29 last year acquitted Prayut and the four other NCPO members. The plaintiffs filed an appeal, claiming the Criminal Court illegally acquitted the defendants because it had not carried out a preliminary examination.

The plaintiffs accused the NCPO of violating the rule of law and democratic principles by giving themselves amnesty for staging the coup.