Prayut said he could not be considered a military officer as he retired from the army for three years ago.

His government, he added, is a mixture of civilians and military officers.

Prayut said it would be the right of political parties to join forces if they were legitimate parties with proper membership and public acceptance.

Pichai on Tuesday said he did not believe a national election would be held this year and that he wanted to see political parties team up to bring back democracy rather than joining forces with the military.

The 91-year-old veteran politician said he did not think he would have the chance to see the return of democracy in his lifetime. Given the new Constitution and the 250 junta-appointed Senate members, it seems that those in power want to continue their rule, he said.

With that in mind, there was not way that political parties could fight [against entrenched military interests] unless they joined forces to do so, he said.

PM Prayut said if those involved in politics believe that they have ideologies for governing the country, they should have no fears that people would abandon them.

Politics this time should not be a battle fought over whether the military is trying to cling to power, he said, noting that the people would cast their votes to determine the country’s future politics.

Citizens and the media should think carefully about whom they should vote for, he said.

“I myself don’t want to have power just because power is there for the ruling. Today I’m a PM who oversees the government and has never applied the military mindset, except for pushing ahead implementation,” said Prayut.

He said that the roadmap would be followed, including passing the last two organic laws required before the election is called. People should not accuse him of dragging his feet on calling the election, as it is the Constitution Drafting Commission’s business and he cannot intervene, he said.

Asked whether the election would still be held in November, Prayut said that has already been announced.