“This issue is nothing deadly,” the PM said at his weekly press briefing on Tuesday. “I understand the sentiments, but shouldn’t we rather look ahead to the future?”

“Arguing over history won’t do any good. It’s a matter of everyone’s intention as to how they will move the country forward,” he added.

Prayut was expected to clarify doubts over the mysterious replacement of the plaque after authorities – from the government spokesperson’s team, Dusit district administration and the police, to the Fine Arts Department – had yet to clearly provide an answer to the historical plaque’s disappearance or take responsibility for getting to the bottom of the matter.

Instead, he chose to cut things short, saying that he would assign security forces to take up the case but that people should no longer call for the return of the original plaque.

“It won’t be of any purpose. I don’t want conflicts to arise. I don’t want our country to be in trouble anymore,” he stressed.

In response to a potential move tomorrow by activists aimed at reclaiming the lost plaque,

the premier said: “I’m not threatening you, but whatever they are doing, they should consider security laws and Article 116 [on sedition in the Criminal Code].”