But he said he was not opposed to the talk if no law or post-coup order was violated.

“I don’t give them any permission. They can do anything they like, as long as it is not against the law,” he told reporters at Government House.

Rival groups of politicians plan to meet next week to discuss ways to reach reconciliation. They are expected to make proposals to the government.

The talk was reportedly initiated by veteran politician Sudarat Keyuraphan from Pheu Thai, the previous ruling party.

General Prayut said that as far as he knew, politicians wanted his government to expedite the amnesty process, as well as encourage political reconciliation.

He said law violators should fight their legal cases properly and not expect the law to be bent in their favour in exchange for peace to be restored.

“Don’t you sympathise with people who got shot and killed in bombings, as well as those being imprisoned?” the PM said, referring to ordinary protesters who suffered after taking part in street rallies over the past decade.

“You seem to have more concern for politicians and protest leaders,” he said.

It was unclear yesterday as to whether the politicians’ talk will go ahead, as a key Democrat Partypolitician expected to join the talk has requested a postponement.

‘Mistrust by those in power’

Democrat deputy leader Nipit Intarabombat said he had phoned Sudarat to tell her that he wanted the talk to be postponed following “mistrust by the people in power”.

He said the politicians involved had good intentions towards the country, adding that the people in power should not view moderate politicians like these with mistrust.

Somsak Prisanananthakul, a key Chart Thai Pattana Party politician, said the talk would involve three to four politicians, in order to avoid violating a post-coup order banning political gatherings of more than four people.

The veteran politician said despite Nipit’s pullout, he would definitely take part in the talk although no exact date had been set.

Somsak maintained that he did not think the politicians would bargain with the government for amnesty. “We just aim to help the country,” he said.

In a Facebook post, Sudarat blamed Democrat leader Abhisit Vejjajiva for Nipit’s decision to pull out of the talk. Abhisit had said the talk would cause the ruling generals to mistrust politicians.

Abhisit did not respond to Sudarat’s remarks. However, Democrat politician Thana Chirawinit said that the Democrat leader supported a talk with no hidden agenda.

He said that at a time of military rule, the talk should have been done quietly, if the goal was really to find a way out for the country.

Thana said Sudarat was acting as if she initiated the talk – playing the role amid speculation she would become the next Pheu Thai leader. “I wonder if there is some hidden agenda,” the Democrat said.