The prime minister was reluctant to say whether he would become an ‘outsider’ premier after the election, as allowed under the current charter’s mechanisms.

“I actually want [parties] to propose the names of others before coming to me. Don’t centre on me,” he said.

With more assemblies pressing the junta to hold an election without further delay, Prayut threatened to continue tracking whether those involved had any connections with political parties.

“This would affect such parties in the future. We won’t obstruct anything, but they should also understand that we have a clear election time line already,” he said, adding “I don’t think their intention is entirely pure.”