The military, he added, has not made any political act, so it could not be the parties’ competitor in politics.

Prawit was referring to suggestions that the military might run candidates of its own in the upcoming national election.

Meanwhile, another deputy PM, Wissanu Krea-ngam, said amendments to laws needed for the expected local-administration elections would be submitted to the National Legislative Assembly (NLA) by early next year.

He said he could not confirm at this point whether those elections could be held before the national election because he did not know how long it would take for the NLA to discuss the laws.

There are six related laws to be deliberated.

However, he said the local elections should not be held at the same time as the national election, or problems could arise.