“Why do I have to confirm? The NCPO is not involved in politics. If it is necessary, we will set up a party, but if it’s not, we won’t. And now it isn’t necessary,” Prawit said, responding to a question about the possible formation of a party.

He added that he did not know if the junta would set up a party in the future.

Recent speculation in Thai-language media has centred on a new party to be set up by a member of the NCPO’s working group on national reform, Maj-General Songklod Thipparat, who reportedly planned to found the new Palang Chartthai Party. Details were unclear whether the new party would support the junta in the next election.

However, Prawit said he did not know Songklod or anything about the rumoured party.

He also denied that he was the leader behind efforts to set up a party, adding that he had not made deals with anyone.