NCPO spokesman Winthai Suvaree made the allegation following heavy criticism from Pheu Thaifigures during the second anniversary of the coup.

In response to a claim made by former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra that people are now facing increasing poverty, drugs and social problems, Winthai responded that the NCPO had been serious about combating these issues since day one.

Such bread-and-butter problems had been tackled systematically both in the short and the long term, he said. All necessary measures have been taken to drive the economy, he added.

“We believe that such comments have a partly political agenda to destroy economic confidence, because the NCPO has done everything already,” Winthai said.

The economy had been growing continually since 2014, he said, with GDP growth rate in first quarter of 2016 reaching 3.2 per cent – higher than that of the United States, Japan or Singapore.

The spokesman also reacted strongly to remarks made by another Pheu Thai figure, Worachai Hema, who alleged the regime was discriminating against one side of the political spectrum.

Winthai said the claim was inaccurate and unconstructive and added that most people were aware of the intention behind such remarks.

“Any legal action taken depends on each person’s behaviour, not on his party or political preference,” Winthai explained.

He added that political comments should be based on fact rather than imagination, which could exacerbate the national divide at a time when the NCPO was trying hard to bring about peace and reconciliation.

“Society is starting to see that what’s hindering reconciliation is not the NCPO, but the prejudice held by some people,” Winthai said.

The junta spokesman also rebutted Worachai’s accusation that Thailand is facing international sanctions because authorities failed to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing and aviation issues. These longstanding problems had been ignored by previous governments, said Winthai.

“The complications came when the NCPO stepped in and figured out that they would impact the economy and the country’s image, so we have been very serious about resolving them,” he said, insisting that there had been improvement.

Winthai also hit back at criticism from Watana Muangsook, saying that no one could be surprised that the Pheu Thai stalwart had a negative view of the NCPO.

“It’s all in his head, and it does not match the truth we see today,” the spokesman said, adding that various authorities had explained their actions to society already, and that Watana as a mature politician should be careful about what he said, in order to preserve orderly public expression and debate.