Chief royal adviser General Prem Tinsulanonda, 90, has been admitted at Prommitr Hospital for treatments on age-related illnesses, Pheu Thai Party chairman Chavalit Yongchaiyudh said on Tuesday.
"Prem is sick and not involved in the current political turmoil," he said, dismissing a suggestion to involve Prem in negotiations among the government, the red shirts, ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra and other parties concerned.
Chavalit said he would meet with every political party in a bid to broker peace and restore normalcy.
He said he wanted the opposing sides to work together in overcoming the turmoil and that he would not demand the dissolution of Parliament as a pre-condition to end the protests by the red shirts.
Prem's aide Admiral Pajun Tampratheep denied, however, that Prem was sick and hospitalised.
"Prem is well and not in the hospital as speculated," he said.
Chavalit amended his statement to say if Prem were sick, he would paid a hospital visit.
